One of Australia's most successful regional creative companies will lead a new, state-of-the-art circus hub in Melbourne, backed by the Allan Labor Government.
Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks today announced the appointment of Flying Fruit Fly Circus as the new head tenant of the 50 Perry Street site in Collingwood, opening up access to the purpose-built rehearsal, performance and creative development facility.
Under the leadership of Flying Fruit Fly Circus, the facility will be reimagined as Circus Centre Melbourne, a vibrant, inclusive hub for artists and companies in Victoria's circus and physical theatre sector.
With two large studios, collaborative working areas and multi-purpose spaces, the centre will become a destination for the industry to meet, create and perform. The Government-owned facility was originally built in collaboration with Circus Oz and opened in 2014. Circus Oz remains a tenant on the site.
Beyond offering spaces for hire at affordable rates, Circus Centre Melbourne will also lay the foundation for long-term sector sustainability through new programs to back the creative development of original work and support emerging companies to build their business skills and capabilities.
Founded in Albury-Wodonga in 1979, Flying Fruit Fly Circus is Australia's National Youth Circus and the country's only full-time circus school for primary and secondary students. From its regional homebase, the company has grown a global reputation for producing exceptional graduates and creating its own acclaimed touring productions.
The company's expansion into Melbourne will see the recruitment of a new Melbourne-based team to lead the development of Circus Centre Melbourne. The new venue will build on the company's decades of experience in managing their existing state-of-the-art circus training facility in Albury-Wodonga.
Given the range of spaces available at the Collingwood venue, including fit-for-purpose circus studios with the latest equipment and flexible rehearsal spaces, the new Melbourne team will ensure the centre is open year-round with bookings open to performers and companies across multiple artforms.
Circus Centre Melbourne is expected to open later this year. Now that the head tenant has been announced, Flying Fruit Fly Circus will engage with the sector, including peak body Theatre Network Australia, to ensure the vision for the Centre is realised.
They will also commence a recruitment process for Melbourne based staff with details about bookings and other opportunities at the site will be announced in the months ahead.
As stated by Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks
"Victoria is the cultural capital of Australia, and we're backing our performing artists with world-class facilities to keep it that way."
"This will be a game-changer that opens up this facility while offering programs that will strengthen the sector and support the next generation of performing artists."
"Flying Fruit Fly Circus has led the charge for 45 years, and bringing their vision to Melbourne through Circus Centre Melbourne is a great example of how regional arts organisations are major players in our state's creative scene."
As stated by Flying Fruit Fly Circus Chief Executive Officer Richard Hull
This has been a rigorous public tender process and I am grateful to the Victorian Government for putting its faith in Flying Fruit Fly Circus to reimagine this stunning venue."
"Expanding our footprint across two sites will strengthen pathways for young circus artists into professional careers and provide extraordinary new opportunities for the Circus and Physical Theatre sector in Victoria. We want the best new work to be made in Melbourne. We're thrilled to have secured the future of 50 Perry Street for our artform."
As stated by Flying Fruit Fly Circus Chair Lara Block
"This is a landmark moment in the history of our company and heralds a new era for Victorian circus and physical theatre. Granting us this opportunity is an endorsement of our company's vision for Circus Centre Melbourne and a vote of confidence in our extraordinary team.
"Whilst we remain fully committed to our full-time program in our regional home in Albury-Wodonga, we also embrace this amazing opportunity to support the circus and physical theatre sector, for the benefit of our organisation and the broader circus community."
