Low-cost equipment pops up for community groups

Community organisations will have access to low-cost equipment to host pop-up events thanks to a Stronger Communities Programme grant from the Federal Government.

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt congratulated Creative Regions which was awarded $7064 to purchase a Place Activation Event Kit.

“This kit includes portable sound, lighting, furniture and marquees, reducing the cost of hosting pop up events through the Place Activation Program and will be made available to community groups,” he said.

“The Stronger Communities Programme has been a real boost for community groups and organisations like Creative Regions that would otherwise struggle to generate the funding for this type of program.”

Creative Regions director Shelley Pisani said after hosting ReSTAMPED in Post Office Lane in 2015, she realised there was a lack of equipment available to the community for low budget events.

“ReSTAMPED included markets, food stalls, performances, street art, projections and interactive games that encouraged people to interact with a space that they normally wouldn’t explore.

“The design and implementation of this project draws on best practice in place activation principles.

“We will engage with a range of creative people including artists, designers, planners and artworkers to collaborate on future projects, so we can reflect the stories, people and places of our region in a positive light through events and promotions,” Ms Pisani said.

“I hope we can attract a broad range of businesses and industry to be involved and we can get people actively engaged in the arts that normally would not consider themselves a participant in or audience of the arts.”

Through the Stronger Communities Programme, eligible community groups can apply for grants of between $5,000 and $20,000 for small capital projects. All applications need to commit at least matching funding or in-kind contributions.

Each Federal Electorate is allocated $150,000 a year over two years. For more information go to www.infrastructure.gov.au/SCP