Victoria's state-of-the-art circus and physical theatre facility in Collingwood is entering a new era, opening up affordable access to the purpose-built training and rehearsal space thanks to the Allan Labor Government.
The Victorian Government-owned creative space, co-located with the Collingwood Yards creative precinct, is Australia's first purpose-built circus facility. Originally built in 2014, it occupies a transformed former factory and school building.
From early 2025, new lease arrangements with current tenant Circus Oz will see the organisation take on a smaller footprint on site, paving the way for the new operator to run operations on the site.
This will open the facility up to wider sector and community use and respond to demand for appropriate, affordable and safe spaces for rehearsal, creative development and training.
Through an open Expression of Interest (EOI) process the Labor Government is seeking an experienced operator to manage the 50 Perry Street site, ensuring Victoria's vibrant circus and physical theatre sector can use the premises at affordable rates, and potentially the broader performing arts sector and local community.
The successful operator will be required to build a successful and enduring business model, provide equitable access to the site, support the participation and practice of First Peoples creative workers and organisations, and find ways to bring broader benefits to the circus and physical theatre sector.
It is expected that the new operator will commence in early 2025. While the EOI process is underway, Circus Oz will continue to manage bookings for spaces on site.
The EOI responds to Creative Australia's recently released scan of Victoria's circus and physical theatre sector. The scan identified access to affordable, purpose-built facilities as a critical need facing artists and organisations working in this field.
The 50 Perry Street, Collingwood, Expression of Interest (EOI) process is live now via the Labor Government's tenders website: www.tenders.vic.gov.au.
As stated by Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks
"The state-of-the-art Perry Street facility was established as an asset for the whole circus and physical theatre sector and we look forward to working with the new operator to ensure it delivers on this promise as a space that supports our current creative community and fosters our artists and organisations of the future."
"We know that access to affordable, purpose-built space to work and rehearse is a key need right across the creative community but for circus and physical theatre there are critical safety requirements too."
