Abbotsford Convent, just 4kms from central Melbourne, is an extraordinary place and fast becoming an important arts, cultural and educational precinct.

Its eleven magnificent buildings, courtyards and gardens are spread over 6.8 hectares on a sweeping bend of the Yarra river surrounded by the Collingwood Children's Farm and Yarra Bend Park.

It will be an invaluable community resource and incubator for creativity, the sharing of ideas and a place of enjoyment.

It will develop into Australia's most unique arts, culture and education precinct.

1. To be financially viable and self sufficient in regards to annual operating costs.
2. To build a precinct offering the public a wide range of arts, cultural and educational opportunities, experiences and incubator models.
3. To support and strengthen the ties between individuals, groups and organisations and increase the level of community interaction.
4. To maintain and support a dynamic and sustainable organisation.

THEMES:
A range of key activities and themes for the site have been identified through market and industry research. These emphasise the creation of a precinct that the whole community can access and use as a resource, and which respects the heritage, cultural and natural values of the site.

The key themes that are attracting interest from prospective tenants are:

Arts: Visual, performing and written arts in studios, rehearsal and performance spaces with display areas such as galleries, exhibition, theatre and retail space
Culture: Creative expression of contemporary Australian culture, including culinary arts with an emphasis on Slow Food, garden design, fine craftmanship etc
Education: Educational activities with a preference for those which relate closely to the arts and cultural activities, including training in cooking, art, health and well-being, and fine crafts with a priority on activities of adult learning, short workshops and courses
Well-being: health and life-education activities such as preventative, remedial and curative services, including conventional medical services, massage therapists, alternative therapies, community support and personal development services.

In addition to these themes, the hospitality sector is an industry that has good synergy with many of the activities listed above and it will be an important factor in achieving commercial-level rental income.