News and Updates  

Breaking Ground Ceremony

We’ve broken ground on a monumental milestone in Footscray Community Arts’ 50-year history. Thanks to everyone who joined us for marking the commencement of construction on the new outdoor performance venue and revitalised greenspace.

Construction update

On-site construction works commence early 2025. The riverside lawns at Footscray Community Arts (within orange square, pictured) will be closed to the general public from 20 Jan 2025 to late 2025. 

During construction, access to between Moreland St and the wharf is accessible via Bunbury St.

Access to the Warehouse building and Henderson House will currently  unaffected.

You can expect some noise during construction – mostly the beeping of machinery.

Hours of Work:
Weekdays: 7 AM – 6 PM  
Saturdays: 7 AM – 1 PM  
Sundays and Public Holidays: Limited work hours

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The Vision 

Stage 1: Outdoor Performance Space 

The Victorian State Government has provided funding to enable the conversion of Footscray Community Arts’ much-loved amphitheatre into an architecturally designed multi-use performance space. The redevelopment will allow for year-round weather protection, reduced noise for residential neighbours, and improved disability and mobility access. 

There will be more greenspace for community to use every day, complemented by an enhanced landscape that cares for Country. 

To achieve this vision we’re working with the best: design led by MGS Architects and Simone Bliss Landscape Architects together with project directors RP Infrastructure. 

Working alongside the architects is Yorta Yorta, Wurundjeri and Wiradjuri artist, Moorina Bonini, who is integrating her artwork into the landscape and architectural design.

Additional investment from the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation Foote Trust has enabled leadership opportunities throughout this stage of the project for the communities we prioritise and centre. 

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Stage 2: Warehouse Transformation — seeking investment

The redevelopment of 47 Moreland Street will deliver a multi-tenanted creative arts precinct housed across the Warehouse footprint and Henderson House. With Footscray Community Arts as the existing lead tenant, the precinct will respond to unmet demand for creative spaces in Melbourne’s West.  

Expansion of Footscray Community Arts’ gallery footprint will provide space for creatively ambitious and large-scale exhibitions providing a landmark gallery for Melbourne’s western suburbs.  

This future vision for Footscray Community Arts was endorsed by Maribyrnong City Council in 2023 in a co-authored Master Plan. And we are currently seeking investment for Stage 2 works. 

The Need

We know that Footscray’s population will grow by 179% and Maribyrnong’s by 101% in the next 25 years. We are already experiencing record demand for our precinct and services, and are dedicated to ensuring our communities have access to high-quality, vibrant and culturally safe community spaces. 

Infrastructure redevelopment addresses key strains on the precinct: 

• Poor disability access and limited connectivity across the site limit our ability to deliver inclusive, high-quality outcomes. 
  
• Year-round activation on the site is not possible. There are no covered spaces large enough to accommodate medium-large events, and no consideration of sound treatment to consider the impact of events on neighbours. 
  
• Prohibitive costs and operational inefficiencies are barriers to activation for Footscray Community Arts, local community groups and commercial operators. 
  
• Our existing venues are at capacity, limiting programming, community and commercial opportunities. The strain on the precinct is compounded by a lack of other creative space in the West. 

Let’s Talk

Please contact reception@footscrayarts.com for any enquiries.