Beautiful map courtesy of http://www.visitnewcastle.com.au
What would you if your hometown's heart had fallen into decline? If you're Newcastle, Australia (pop. 308,000) native Marcus Westbury, you quit complaining about it and do something, preferably now. A writer and director for ABC TV in Australia and self-proclaimed troublemaker, Mr. Westbury leveraged his experience putting on major cultural events in and around Melbourne, Australia to start an initiative focused on downtown revitalization. Founded in 2008, the aim of Renew Newcastle was to "'borrow'" vacant buildings from their owners and 'lend' them temporarily to artists, craftspeople, designers, cultural projects and community groups rent-free."
By June 2009, 28 groups had made their homes in 18 available spaces. Among them were art galleries, retail shops, and non-profit groups.
This video from 2011 provides some more context:
By June 2009, 28 groups had made their homes in 18 available spaces. Among them were art galleries, retail shops, and non-profit groups.
This video from 2011 provides some more context:
Overall, Renew Newcastle has supported the launch of 122 local projects, businesses, groups, and events. It currently provides space to forty-one ongoing creative projects in the Newcastle city center, while thirteen initiatives have left the nest and are now elsewhere.
Although there are obvious rural/urban differences that merit acknowledgement here, there are a few universal lessons to be taken from Marcus's work:
If you want to learn more (and I hope you do!), head to Renew Newcastle's website or find Renew Australia (his national non-profit) on Twitter.
Enjoy your Sunday,
Travis
Although there are obvious rural/urban differences that merit acknowledgement here, there are a few universal lessons to be taken from Marcus's work:
- Be frank about challenges - Marcus approached property owners knowing that he would likely run into some resistance, but he was honest about the present state of the properties and the potential value to be gained from cutting out rent entirely.
- Find and use local assets (and be open to new definitions of the word 'asset') - The hat makers really bring this one home. They LOVE hats, they're thrilled to have a space to make them, and they're contributing to the economy in a way they would not have been able to otherwise. Marcus was probably not thinking "I want a hat maker in downtown Newcastle" at the outset, but their work fits nicely into his vision of economic vibrancy and renewal.
- Providing an area for people to connect hastens the pace of change - Although it would be difficult to measure, it is reasonable to assume the economic impact on this area due to coincidental, previously unlikely interactions has been substantial. There is a renewed public venue where ideas can be shared freely, and that is always a win for a local economy.
If you want to learn more (and I hope you do!), head to Renew Newcastle's website or find Renew Australia (his national non-profit) on Twitter.
Enjoy your Sunday,
Travis