Emerging Artist Creative Hub

About the Emerging Artist Creative Hub

The Emerging Artist Creative Hub is a pilot creative residency program that enables local creatives from Melbourne’s south east to develop their art practice, collaborate, meet peers, and share skills and resources in a dedicated space.

 Located at the Narre Warren Mechanics Institute, the program will offer:

• Space for emerging artists and creative entities (collectives, businesses, and small organisations)
• One-year residency
• Dry and wet spaces for making work
• Shared presentation, workshop and project spaces

 The residency program responds to community feedback highlighting the need for accessible spaces to create and develop new work. The Emerging Artist Creative Hub will connect and support the local creative community offering a new platform for creative practice in Casey alongside the flagship cultural facilities at Bunjil Place, The Factory Rehearsal Centre for the Arts, and the Hayshed Arts Space.

Narre Warren Mechanics Institute infrastructure upgrades

With a track record of working with artists and designing vibrant creative spaces, Council appointed Sibling Architecture to develop a design for the interior of the heritage-listed site.

The fit-for-purpose upgrades will deliver 330m² of dedicated creative space for Casey and south east Melbourne based talent.

The innovative design concept was shaped through a co-design process with our inaugural creative residency cohort, and informed by the needs of a broader group of artists practicing in Casey.

The upgrades are expected to be completed in early 2025.

The infrastructure upgrades are made possible by the Victorian Government, through Creative Victoria’s Creative Neighbourhood Infrastructure Support Program with a grant of $150,000, together with an investment of $185,660 from Council.

Emerging Artist Creative Hub residency announcement 2025-26

We are thrilled to announce our inaugural six residents who will begin their tenure in early 2025. The cohort span art forms and include two creative collectives.

We would like to thank our expert advisory panel members for their assessment and recommendations: Ariel Blum (Chair), Diego Ramirez, Khalid Warsame, Sam Michelle and Mohini Ghaisas.

 Artist biographies

 

	Navaal Saeed: photographer   Navaal’s plans over the course of the year is to fulfill his ambitions of capturing and exploring the intersection of identity, sport and culture — something that's extremely meaningful to him, particularly football. His end goal is to create a photobook and/or exhibit it as a solo project.
	Way Over There Collective: a collective of artists, creative producers and community organisers Way Over There Collective works with arts organisations and the community to create opportunities, events and programs that platform and prioritise Black, Indigenous, and POC artists. They will use the space for each of their own practices, to meet as a collective and with collaborators, and to produce, shape and test new work.
	Fathiah Raihan: henna artist and art therapy student Working across printmaking, writing and painting, Fathiah’s practice is sustained by the relationships, communities and land that surround her. Fathiah’s works are created with the intention to be transformed and re-transformed for many years to come. During her residency, she would like to host henna appointments, private lessons and workshops.
	Fausto Gallego: artist Self-taught, Fausto has a love of pop culture, anime, cartoons, and character creation. Known for his use of dynamic forms, explosive colours and story rich artworks, residency at the Creative Hub will open doors for him to cohabitate with other artists. Fausto wants to use his time in to create local contacts and create an installation piece.
	Anna Konecny: artist and jeweller Anna creates beautiful art and jewellery using Mizuhiki, a traditional Japanese paper cord used for gift decorations with special meanings for events like weddings and anniversaries. Anna is looking forward to meeting new peers and seeing how other artists work. She will be running some workshops and is planning to end her residency with an exhibition.
	RIDDIM: community-driven events organisation RIDDIM represent diverse cultures through music, events, and community advocacy, offering an alternative to the traditional Australian nightlife. During its residency, RIDDIM plan to host workshops in DJing, photography, videography, and design. They intend to collaborate with established individuals to provide mentorship and real-world insights.

 

Future creative residency and participation opportunities

The Emerging Artist Creative Hub residency will be open for future applications in 2026.

Contact us

Any enquiries can be directed to Council via creativespaces@casey.vic.gov.au

Please note: the Emerging Artist Creative Hub (59 Webb Street, Narre Warren) is not open to the public for walk in visits. Opportunities to visit will be restricted to resident-led projects by invitation and public events that may be presented on site from time to time.