The Shopfront Arts Co-op in Carlton is about to embark on the biggest project of its 40-plus year history - a $2 million expansion to build a new theatre and community youth arts training facility.
Formed in 1976, Shopfront has provided training and development opportunities for thousands of young artists.
And the expansion project will allow Shopfront to provide training for thousands more with a new multipurpose performance space and community rooms that the arts co-op will share with six other arts and community organisations.
And while most of the money has been raised, the Co-op still needs to raise $45,000 by the end of May.
Shopfront is looking for locals to join a four-month Fundraising Committee, starting in February, that will meet once a month for two hours.
“Shopfront needs to raise $45,000 by May 31 to receive matched funding by Creative Partnerships. This will then in turn be matched again by the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation converting $45,000 into $180,000,” Shopfront Arts Co-op development manager Cathy Nisbet said.
“We would be so grateful if some of our wonderful locals could find eight hours over the next four months to help support young people for another 40 years,” she said.
The expansion will allow Shopfront to support over 1000 additional Young People in the first year.
This will include an additional 120 young people at risk of disengaging from the school system, an additional 90 young people at risk of entering the juvenile justice system, an additional 100 CALD young people and an additional 65 young people and emerging artists with a disability.
Anyone who wants to find out more about Shopfront’s Fundraising Committee can contact Cathy Nisbet on 9588 3948 or email cathy@shopfront.org.au
