Our Story

Emporium Creative Hub is an initiative of Creative Victoria, the state government body dedicated to supporting and developing local creative industries. It was conceived as a place for creative practitioners, entrepreneurs and businesses to work, connect, build their skills and expand their networks.

Emporium Creative Hub was developed by ACMI, working with a Local Advisory Group of members who have deep connections to the local creative sector. The team brought a wealth of experience to the project, from arts education to grassroots organisations and creative business acumen.

This approach ensured that Emporium Creative Hub was set up to reflect the needs of the local creative industries, and the end result of the process was a space that is more than just a coworking office. Not just a shared office space, but a local hub for the entire Bendigo creative community.

Emporium Creative Hub is located in the heart of the city at 25 Mitchell Street, Bendigo, close to transport and parking and opened its doors to Bendigo’s creative community in 2020.

The Concept

We identified the need for creatives to have a dedicated community space for working and networking, with first class facilities and business development programs that support the growth of our local creative industries.

As Bendigo’s first coworking space for the creative industries, Emporium Creative Hub is a shared office environment where creatives and entrepreneurs can work, collaborate, develop their skills, grow their business and make valuable contacts.

The idea behind Emporium Creative Hub extends beyond it being just a coworking office, and our members also have access to a series of regular networking and learning opportunities. For creatives who might be used to working alone from home, coworking offers the perfect cure for isolation.

From social events to seminars, workshops and online courses, Emporium Creative Hub provides regular opportunities for professional development, collaboration with fellow creatives, capacity-building and general support for our local creative community here in Bendigo.

The Space

The once empty ground floor of the Morley‘s Emporium site has been transformed into a shared office space with first class facilities, high speed internet, flexible project spaces, communal areas and casual and long-term desks for tenants.

Combining heritage and contemporary design, Emporium Creative Hub breathes new life into one of Bendigo’s most iconic buildings. Key period features like pressed metal ceilings were retained and updated with a modern fit out that meets the needs of working creatives.

Renovations of the site were completed in early 2020, and the coworking space has since been outfitted with chic modern furnishings that are heavily influenced by mid-century design. Emporium Creative Hub is host to a number of hotdesk spaces that are available to members.