This August the BDD Open Studio Series is heading to CAMVAN, an East Brunswick based studio, equipment supplier and co-working space. Join us to tour CAMVAN’s curated studio spaces and high production set up – this one is open to all design professionals but will be of special interest for those in the cinematography and photography space.

We will hear from Company Director, Cam Cooke and also explore the studio’s boutique working space CAMVAN Cowork, designed specifically for creative professionals

This networking event will highlight the value in developing curated fit for purpose spaces for those in the creative/design industry, and the benefits co-working spaces can offer in forming ongoing connections and fostering partnerships.

Details: Tuesday 11 August 12pm – 1.30pm

Free to attend but registration is essential.

REGISTER HERE

Let’s build a stronger, more connected creative economy for Brunswick — together.

The BDD featured 12 studios for the 2026 Melbourne Design Week program, studios not usually accessible to the public who opened up their doors, across a wide range of practices from large-scale sculpture to millinery, illustration to lighting, furniture to fashion and textiles, printmaking to photography and music to medical breakthrough technology.

BDD feature studios included: Mycelium Studios, Made by Morgen, Pavement Print Studio, Pelican Studios featuring works by Callan Morgan, Edward Linacre and Dusken, Soundworks, Nayana, Hillvale Photo and Gallery, Styling Station Melbourne, The Hen House Rehearsal Studios, Nutromics, and The Nonsense Maker.

Love Making? Got a project you’re working on and keen to get out of the house?

Why not come along to a new series of free creative making sessions, ‘Hands-In-The-Hanger-With-Headphones’ taking place as part of RMIT University and Merri-bek City Council’s collaborative project ‘Circular Campus to Community’.

‘Hands-In-The-Hanger-With-Headphones’ is a wonderful opportunity to bring your projects to life in a calm and collaborative environment and share ideas with likeminded creatives.

Light refreshments will also be provided at each session.

What To Bring:
Bring along your own hand-worked projects, such as any type of hand sewing, knitting, crochet patchworking, embroidery, upcycling, and/or mending.

Other basic equipment and supplies you need should also be brought – such as scissors, tape etc. Feel free to bring your headphones and music along too- there is no pressure to talk!

When: Selected Wednesdays, 12:00pm -2:00pm (see session dates below)

Session Dates: 1^st April. 8^th April. 15^th April. 22^nd April. 29^th April. 13^th May. 27^th May. 3^rd June.
17^th June. 1^st July & 8^th July.

Where: RMIT Brunswick Campus, 25 Dawson St,
Building 516, The Hanger (Room 516.02.001)

Register here

The Creative Projects Fund 2026 round supports projects led by Victorian-based professional artists, creative practitioners, groups/collectives and creative micro to small organisations. It can also include projects collaborating with creative and non-creative workers (such as technicians, publicists etc).

Funding can be used to:

• develop new creative content, products or experiences
• present and/or launch work to reach new markets
• invest in innovative ideas
• support collaborations and partnerships.

To find out more visit https://creative.vic.gov.au/funding-opportunities/find-a-funding-opportunity/creative-projects-fund

Find out more and take the survey here: Creative Workplaces Survey

In February we are opening the doors to two creative studios in Brunswick who perfectly complement each other; Co Paradiso and Mycelium Studios are both co working spaces who have created a community of creatives, freelancers and small businesses.

This event will explore how coworking spaces can spark unexpected partnerships and creative breakthroughs.

Each studio will share how their environments nurture collaboration, followed by insights from tenants whose chance connections have grown into standout projects or new and unexpected collaborations

There is also an opportunity to join a tour to explore both studio spaces and facilities.

Enjoy a light lunch by onsite bakery Alex Bakes as you explore these vibrant creative communities and meet the people shaping them.

Date: Tuesday 17 February 2026

Time: 12pm – 1.30pm

Location: Co-Paradiso and Mycelium Studios, 10-12 Moreland Road, Brunswick East.

This event is for creative professionals

Free to attend – RSVP essential.

Light lunch included.

Places are limited — don’t miss this behind-the-scenes look at collaboration in action.

REGISTER HERE

Let’s build a stronger, more connected creative economy for Brunswick — together.

The BDD is facilitated by a partnership between RMIT University, Merri-bek City Council and Creative Victoria.

This month the focus is on Creative Wellness.

The creative industries thrive on imagination, innovation, and passion—but this can also mean working to tight deadlines, juggling multiple projects, and navigating unpredictable workloads. Burnout, stress, and self-doubt can quickly creep in, threatening your creative flow and professional success.

This special event in the BDD Open Studio Series, is a dedicated Creative Wellbeing event, designed to give creative professionals space to recharge, reconnect, and restore balance.

Held at Studio Take Care, a space that is inclusive, safe, welcoming and joyous, a perfect location to connect to wellness.

Hear from Patrick McCarthy of Creative Australia on the importance for wellbeing in the creative industry and learn more about existing services.

Participate in a guided breathwork session by Tru Luv Club

Get a taste of an art therapy session by Studio Art Group

There will also be time for morning tea and networking.

Through guided wellness practices, mindset tools, and practical strategies, you’ll discover ways to protect your mental health, boost resilience, and reignite your creative spark.

Why attend?

• Protect your most valuable asset – your creative mind.
• Gain new techniques to reduce stress and improve focus.
• Connect with like-minded creatives who understand the unique pressures of your field.
• Walk away with a renewed focus on sustainable creativity.

Whether you’re a designer, performer, maker, writer, or creative business owner, investing in your wellbeing is the foundation for producing your best work.

Free to attend – RSVP essential.

Let’s build a stronger, more connected creative economy for Brunswick — together.

https://events.humanitix.com/brunswick-design-district-bdd-open-studio-series-wellness-for-creatives

Creative Victoria’s Creative Enterprises Program is now open, offering a transformative four-year investment opportunities for not-for-profit creative organisations across the state.

Open to organisations of any creative discipline and located within Victoria, the program strengthens leadership, infrastructure and sustainability while supporting growth, diversity and community engagement.

With a focus on long-term impact, the program seeks organisations ready to collaborate with government priorities, particularly those enhancing creative industry resilience, broadening cultural participation, and fostering inclusive audiences and creators.

Three streams are available:

1. First Peoples Organisations – championing Aboriginal self-determination, culture and creativity.
2. Industry Service Organisations – supporting the sector through advocacy, networks and development.
3. Creative Organisations – with a strong track record in producing innovative creative work.

Applications close 3pm, 3 September 2025.
For full details, including eligibility and how to apply, visit the Creative Victoria website

Explore the new national resource for creative industries

Creative Australia has launched a dedicated Creative Workplaces website—a new platform designed to champion better work environments for artists, creatives, and organisations across the country.

This national initiative brings together tools, research, and best-practice frameworks to support safe, inclusive and sustainable creative workplaces. Whether you’re a designer running a small studio, an arts organisation navigating governance, or a policymaker shaping cultural infrastructure—this site is a practical and inspiring resource.

At Brunswick Design District, we know how important creative spaces are to the wellbeing and success of our sector and embrace a commitment to improving the conditions that help creativity thrive.

Explore the website here: https://www.creativeworkplaces.gov.au/

Designing Futures: Explore Brunswick’s Creative Pulse

Join us on Friday, 16 May 2025, for Designing Futures: A Journey Through the Brunswick Design District (BDD)—a guided walking tour spotlighting Brunswick’s vibrant design ecosystem. Part of Melbourne Design Week, this immersive experience invites you to discover how local creatives are shaping sustainable, inclusive futures across architecture, fashion, and community spaces.

The tour begins at Michelle Guglielmo Park, where Mark Gillingham of GLAS Landscape Architects will share insights into transforming urban spaces into natural sanctuaries. Next, explore the newly opened Balam Balam Place, a $30 million cultural and creative hub supporting artists and designers. Conclude at RMIT’s Brunswick Campus, home to MPavilion9, where innovation and collaboration drive forward-thinking design practices.​

This event is presented by the Brunswick Design District—a partnership between RMIT University, Merri-bek City Council, and Creative Victoria

For event details and to book your FREE ticket visit: https://designweek.melbourne/event/designing-futures-a-journey-through-the-brunswick-design-district-bdd/

This event is part of Melbourne Design Week 2025, an initiative of the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria.

The Building Audiences Fund provides support for new marketing projects which build, expand or re-establish audiences or customer bases for creative businesses.

If you have an idea that explores different approaches to engaging audiences, building brand awareness and increasing income for your organisation, we want to hear from you.

Key Dates 

Round opens: 31 January 2022 

Round closes: 3pm, 24 February 2022

Learn more about the Building Audiences Fund.

Image: Brunswick East Entertainment Festival

Are you an independent creative ready to take your practice and career to the next level? The Creators Fund supports by providing one of the most important and scarce creative resources – time. Time to research, innovate and take risks.

This Creators Fund program supports creatives to undertake a sustained period of intensive research and development or experimentation of new ideas and concepts.

The program’s focus is not on supporting full concept realisation and presentation, or audience engagement activities. Instead, it allows creatives to focus on the initial exploratory stages of new ideas that includes testing, deep research and development, and experimentation.

It’s open to individual creative practitioners and collectives across all disciplines, and at all career stages. The program provides financial support for up to six months to creative practitioners, allowing them to explore new ideas and ways of working that will provide career advancement and innovation within the creative industries.

Key Dates 

Round opens: Monday 31 January 2022 

Round closes: 3pm, Thursday 3 March 2022

Learn more about the Creators Fund.

Individual creative workers and micro-businesses can apply for funding to develop new work, undertake professional development and reach new audiences through a new $5 million round of the Sustaining Creative Workers initiative.

One-off grants of $5,000 will be available for creative practitioners, including sole traders and freelancers.

Grants of up to $10,000 are available for collectives, micro-organisations and businesses.  This round of the program will be delivered in partnership with creative industry bodies.

Last year, the Sustaining Creative Workers initiative delivered 771 grants totaling $4.7 million to enable creatives to continue to work during the extended lockdown. Recipients ranged from contemporary musicians and performing artists, to filmmakers and fashion designers.

Up to $10 million will target heavily affected creative organisations of state significance including those identified through Creative Victoria’s current Creative Enterprises Program and Creative Ventures Program rounds, and organisations within the National Performing Arts Partnership Framework.

This will include key festivals, performing arts companies and others, ensuring they can continue to operate and employ workers and plan a pathway to recovery as restrictions ease and commercial operating conditions resume. 

The Government also announced the latest grant recipients through three Creative Victoria programs. Funding of $3.1 million is supporting hundreds of artists, creative workers and organisations to continue generating new work, developing their skills and building their businesses in COVIDSafe ways.

The program guidelines, eligibility and closing dates for the Sustaining Creative Workers Initiative will be available soon at creative.vic.gov.au/grants-and-support.