The Substation arts venue at Newport has been awarded $300,000 over four years from the state government through Creative Victoria.
It’s a reversal of fortunes for the centre, which will also receive $1,050,000 over three years from Hobsons Bay council.
The former power station turned multidisciplinary arts space changed its director in February last year, with Brad Spolding inheriting a difficult financial position.
“It’s the first time The Substation has ever secured ongoing organisational funding from Creative Victoria,” he said.
“What this money allows us to do is to work with artists … to program work, commission work, develop work, present work.
“And that was really my hope all along.
“What we’re doing is really trying to create a space for artists who make contemporary work … new work that talks to the new audiences.
“There’s a huge growing audience in this part of Melbourne – the fastest-growing area in Australia.
“So, new artists doing new work for new audiences, which looks at and talks to our place in Melbourne – being in the west, being in Newport, being in Hobsons Bay.”
Last year, The Substation had no arts program because of its vulnerable financial situation, Mr Spolding said.
“I don’t think it’s any secret … The Substation was in a very precarious position,” he said.
Other inner-west recipients of four-year Creative Victoria grants include Footscray Community Arts Centre ($924,000), Yarraville-based Ausdance Victoria ($520,000) Footscray’s Snuff Puppets ($449,820), Western Edge Youth Arts ($320,000), Women’s Circus ($292,320) and Overland magazine ($240,000).
