Introducing The Ambulance Station
Eastern Riverina Arts is overjoyed to announce that our bid to convert the historic Wagga Wagga Ambulance Station into a Creative Industries Hub has been successful.
The Ambo Creative Industries Hub will be a welcoming interface between culture, business and community.
The Ambo will give artists and creative entrepreneurs the perfect launchpad to experiment, collaborate and showcase their work.
The Creative Industries Hub will offer a range of affordable artist studios and creative business suites that facilitate ambitious artists, freelancers and creative companies to collaborate, do business and present their work, seeding a viable creative industries sector for the Riverina.
We look forward to working in partnership with the region’s artists, creative organisations and companies to generate new opportunities for artists and creators, and support collaborations, professional development and touring opportunities that benefit the wider region.
ERA Creative Business Officer Claire Harris and Chair of the ERA Board Anne Lowe at the old Wagga Wagga Ambulance Station.
A place to connect a creative community
The Creative Industries Hub will make much-needed spaces available for community and business use, including:
The Ambo Gallery. A versatile and flexible exhibition and event space that will showcase local creativity, host workshops and networking events, and act as a launchpad for local creative businesses. Think: pop up shops, kids holiday workshops, experimental performances, installation artworks and envelope-pushing public programs.
Collaboration and Broadcast suite. A flexible boardroom/training room that is digitally-connected and kitted out with specialist backdrops and lighting equipment to facilitate webcasting, hybrid meetings and broadcast opportunities.
Covered Market/event space. Connected to the gallery is a covered outdoor area with stunning views to the Lagoon and Victory Memorial Gardens. This area will suit a broad range of niche events and markets, and can facilitate secure construction of large-scale artworks, or as an event support area for the Victory Memorial Gardens.
Freelancer Suites - affordable office suites to support local animators, designers, illustrators (and other Creative Industries practitioners) to take the leap from working at the kitchen table, and support a growing ecosystem of creative companies for our region.
Artist studios - clean, light studio spaces for artists, writers and makers available for short-term hire.
Proposed floor plan of The Ambo Creative Industries Hub in the old Wagga Wagga Ambulance Station.
Management and partners
The hub will be managed by Eastern Riverina Arts, and we’ll leverage our strong partnerships to ensure that the Creative Industries have a thriving new home in the Eastern Riverina.
The Wagga Wagga Business Chamber will locate their operations within the site and utilise the building as a resource to amplify the services and sector development opportunities they provide. Riverina Murray Business will operate as a key service partner, seeding activation and engagement of the site through provision regular markets and other business development activities.
Tim Kurylowicz, Executive Director of Eastern Riverina Arts is ecstatic about the news. “Through this announcement, Wagga Wagga City Council have given a vote of confidence in arts and culture.”
“Creative activity is integral to our economy, livability, vibrancy and social development as this city and region grow. The Eastern Riverina Arts team will manage this Hub to unlock creative potential that’s already in our community, and as a beacon to attract and retain creative talent to the Wagga region.”
Serena Hardwick, Business Development Manager at Wagga Wagga Business Chamber, added, “We are excited to be a part of the Creative Industries Hub. Being located in the hub will activate the space by extending our current programming for our members and the wider business community.”
“The Creative Industries are a major contributor to the NSW economy and a growing export. We look forward to collaborating and supporting Eastern Riverina Arts and The Ambo Creative Industries hub acknowledging the opportunity this presents for local creatives, the community and the local economy.”
Riverina Murray Business Hubs Manager Haley Tait added, “Riverina Murray Business is so excited to be partnering with Eastern Riverina Arts to provide markets and support for small businesses and creatives to promote and sell their products as part of Live Local @The Ambo.”
Next steps
There’s a lot of work to be done! Wagga Wagga City Council are still working to get the building ready for occupancy, and we understand this could take some months to finalise.
Eastern Riverina Arts have started seeking additional funds to fit out the site, and will develop appropriate management, policy and governance protocols in coming months, so watch this space.
Most importantly, we need to consult the incredible Riverina creative community who inspired this project in the first place. We will endeavour to open up some forums very soon to collect your ideas and advice. Please bear with our small team as we work through the mammoth tasks ahead!
If you would like to know more details as they emerge, subscribe to our newsletter and keep an eye on our social media channels.
Media enquiries: Tim Kurylowicz, Executive Director, 02 6921 6891 or exec@easternriverinaarts.org.au.
