REPORTING | What we've been up to in 2023
- 127 newly arrived migrants, refugees & people seeking asylum are on pathways to employment thanks to our support programs.
- 115 artists were supported through our gallery and art programs.
- 66 Designers are selling their unique creations through Space2b’s retail outlet. Around 80% are from Culturally diverse backgrounds.
- 50 hard working volunteers make Space2b the place to be! With an estimated 6450 hours worked this year which is a financial contribution of $225,750!
CELEBRATING | 10 Years
Most importantly we have been around for 10 years and we sure had a fantastic celebration!
What a wonderful celebratory gala dinner it was with over 190 attendees.
Thanks to Creative Australia Plus1 program that matched every dollar up to $25,000 we managed to raise a total of $57,315!
Special thanks to our MC, Brian Nankervis and JoysSoulMusic & all our generous guests who ensured the night was a great success. How could it not be!
Thanks to City of Port Phillip Cultural Diversity Fund, 26 newly arrived migrants celebrated the wonderful evening with us!
WELCOMING | New Mural In Our Already Wonderful Laneway
The brilliant Iranian artist, Leila Ashtiani got to realise her dream and share her traditional skills with the local community.
Thanks to the Palais Theatre, Leila trained 12 local artists in the art of 3d bas clay relief work.
Thanks to City of Port Phillip, Leila and 5 artist created and installed this wonderful mural celebrating the art and cultural history of Port Phillip.
EXHIBITING | Art Galore
Our art gallery has been booked out with wonderful exhibitions every month. March and June are the months that we support our newly arrived artists to exhibit and sell their art.
Thanks to a 3 year funding from the City of Port Phillip we are able to build our art programs and activities!
Our annual Affordable Art Show is now on (until end of January) funded by our wonderful sponsors, Community Bank Windsor. Come and have a peak!
EXPERIENCING | Space2b
As some of you know we support newly arrived migrants to thrive through our unique and bespoke program, The Space2b Experience. The opportunities are as unique as the people we work with, designed around real people with real needs and dreams. This year thanks to a 3 year grant ‘Economic Pathways to Refugee Integration’ from the Commonwealth (Department of Home Affairs) 25 refugees and people seeking asylum have been supported.
ACKNOWLEDGING | Support From Our Local Federal MP Josh Burns
Josh Burns and his fantastic team have visited us on numerous occasions to offer advice and support. We talked about visas and settlement and his team offered personal assistance to a group at his office.
We also received a grant to upgrade our shop front and our online shop. Fantastic!
Hop online now and buy some goodies!
DEVELOPING | Art & Culture Experience For Corporates
We are developing a new program: ‘Corporate Art & Cultural Experience’ with the support of Community Bank Windsor. They have kindly piloted the program and are now working with us to develop a sure to be fantastic program!!!
The program will be for corporates, government, NGOs who want fun team building activities with a cultural twist.
If you know anyone who might be interested give us a shout!
INSTALLING | Urban Canvas Festival – Street Art
This year the wonderful Jah from Port Phillip Council organised a striking street art festival together with 5 other councils. Space2b was one of the participants and we were lucky enough to support 7 artists to paint electricity poles and roller doors as part of the program. What a great opportunity and how wonderful for the neighbours of Balaclava.
Walk around Space2b and see all the new installations!
GATHERING | Makers Market
Together with our friends, the Urban Creatives, the wonderful pair that run the CERE markets (yes we managed to get them down south) we ran 2 makers markets in the laneway.
Filled with numerous designers and artists selling their precious and lovingly handmade, ethical goodies.
Look out for our next African Festival coming in March!
SHARING | Stories
Abouk, a local resident, visited Space2b at a lunch we organised to celebrate EID. Abouk was inspired by the exhibition and it encouraged her to connect with Space2b and begin her journey. Abouk exhibited at our Affordable Art Show, had her own exhibitions and went on to join our Space2b Experience Program. She trained in the retail space and is now our Retail Manager and Outreach Officer!
Come on in and say HELLO!
Rahila is an artist who arrived in Australia on a spouse visa from Pakistan. She first came to Space2b as an artist exhibiting in our affordable Art Show and later participating in our Face2Face program where she co-created artwork with a professional artist, Sandra Tobias. Rahila wanted to design and import clothing to Australia. Mentored by our wonderful business mentors, Rahila now has her own fashion label, Kolachi, selling at Space2b. Stand out from the crowd!
Victoria makes jewellery inspired by her culture. She joined our weekly jewellery meetup group and Space2fly mentoring program. Victoria now makes new designs that locals love!
Victoria has developed her own brand name and stationary. She launched her new brand at a showcase event and now sells at Space2b and other outlets.
Get your own unique earrings!
Genet, a local resident to St Kilda, is an entrepreneur and ideas person.
Her dream is to sell coffee sourced from her home in Ethiopia, which she says is THE VERY BEST!
Together with her husband and her mentor, Genet has developed her new brand name - KAFFA GOAT, eco-friendly packaging and roasts some delicious Ethiopian coffee.
Come and get a taste!
SERVING | Flavours Of Syria
We have a wonderful hidden gem in our laneway - the Flavours of Syria Cafe run by Nayran. Unfortunately, 2023 has been a very hard year for Nayran and her family.
Despite numerous obstacles Nayran, has managed to mentor 6 trainees in the café and supported 5 chefs to cater for our Dinner with Friends program. What an inspiration you are Nayran! Visit her cafe for a unique experience!
THANKING | You
We could not have done it without all our supporters, sponsor and donors.
A HUGE SHOUT OUT TO YOU ALL!