The Development Program

Rosina
The Convent is thrilled to announce that the grand old dame which is Rosina has undergone an extreme makeover (right) and is relishing in her new life as a major new performing arts rehearsal facility.

In the Convent’s former incarnation, Rosina was used by the Sisters and their young charges for assemblies and theatrical performances. So, in order to honour this history, as well as to ensure a mix of creative and cultural enterprises across the site, Rosina has become a much needed new community venue for performing arts enterprises.

In a fabulous fundraising effort, the Convent secured grants from the The Dara Foundation, The Department of Transport and Regional Services - Regional Partnerships Program, John T. Reid Charitable Trusts, The Ian Potter Foundation, Helen Macpherson Smith Trust, Victor and Fleur Spitzer OAM, Geoffrey Rush, The Dyson Bequest, The Robert Salzer Foundation, Simmonds Lumber  as well as several smaller donations from Convent supporters.

Mercator
The Mercator Building, on the eastern side of the precinct, has welcomed a host of creative talent through its newly installed doors.

Sections of Mercator are now transformed into light-filled atmospheric studio spaces. Oozing heritage ambience but featuring contemporary amenities, ten spaces accommodate arts practices that have a public interface. So you will now be able to see jewellers, printmakers, ceramicists, furniture and lighting designers, makers and more hard at work – as well as take part in demonstrations, workshops, masterclasses - and most importantly, purchase their work!

The Mercator redevelopment is a project made possible by the Sidney Myer Fund as part of the 2009 Commemorative Grants Program.