Find the answers to common questions about finding and listing creative spaces.
If you’re seeking a space
Easy! Just head over here, type your preferred suburb or postcode into the search field, and away you go!
Want to narrow down your search even more? Select “More Filters” for a variety of options including purpose, suitably, or specialist features.
Nothing in your chosen location? Adjust the map to update your location preference and check out spaces far and wide.
Once you find your perfect space, click the listing to view it in more detail. Contact information will be listed on the right-hand side of the page. You will usually see a phone number, an enquiry form, or both.
Unfortunately, no. We can't find, book or contact spaces on your behalf. But don't worry, there are plenty of excellent spaces to choose from, so it shouldn't be a problem finding the right one for you!
Compare spaces with the Wishlist function to make the right decision for you.
The Creative Spaces website is a free directory of available space for creative use. We’ve got lots of great spaces, but some areas will naturally have fewer listings than others. Perhaps try a different, broader search and see what you find!
If you’re listing a space
Listing a space on Creative Spaces is free! We don’t charge any fees, at any point, and we don't take a commission once your space is filled.
Listings are self-managed by space owners and operators, with moderation by the Creative Spaces team.
You can list any space for creative use, from development spaces to presentation spaces.
Here are some examples:
- Artist studios
- Rehearsal and workshop spaces
- Office and co-work spaces for artists and creative businesses
- Spaces for larger sculpture work
- Rehearsal, performance, and exhibition spaces
Here are some examples of “creative use”:
- Design
- Broadcasting
- Electronic or digital media
- Game development
- Filmmaking
- Music
- Performing arts (including theatre and dance)
- Visual arts and crafts
- Museums
- Architecture
- Comedy
- Craft
- Fashion
Creative Spaces can only list spaces that have creative purposes. For example, we will not list a space for yoga classes or birthday parties.
Why is my health or fitness space not an acceptable listing?
We’re unable to accept spaces that reference any of the following in their name, listing description, or images:
- Yoga
- Pilates
- Fitness
- Wellness
- Healing
This is because these activities are not considered creative practice. If you want to list your space on Creative Spaces, please focus on how it could be used for creative activities. For example, rehearsals, photography, or dance. If you can explain how your space could be used by creatives, it will be accepted.
Why is my hair, beauty, makeup or nail space not an acceptable listing?
We're unable to accept spaces that reference hair, beauty, makeup or nail services in their name, images or listing description as these are not considered creative practice. If you want to list your space on Creative Spaces, please focus on how it could be used for creative activities. Examples might include a photography location or visual art studio.
Why is my office or co-working space not an acceptable listing?
Your space must be primarily used by creative practitioners or artists. Please provide specific examples of how your space meets this criteria. For example, "this coworking space houses graphic designers, copywriters, writers, illustrators, interior designers, animators, editors, and more" or "this office space will be shared with an architect and fashion designer."
Creative practice refers to inventing or developing original ideas, especially in the arts. Here’s some examples of creative practice:
- Animation
- Animatronics
- Architecture
- Ceramics
- Circus
- Dance
- Exhibitions
- Fashion
- Film
- Glass making
- Jewellery
- Music
- Painting
- Photography
- Podcast making
- Screen printing
- Sculpture
- Textiles
- Woodwork
- Writing
Please note we do not recognise fitness, wellness, health, or corporate practice as creative practice. Any space designed solely for these uses may not be accepted as a listing.
Here’s what you’ll need to create a great space listing: Some things are mandatory, like photos of your space, the rate you will charge, a name for your space, descriptions of its interior and location, a contact email address and phone number. Other things are helpful to include, like ceiling height, floor space dimensions, potential audience capacity, and more.
Learn more about how to create an effective listing here.
Attract more enquiries and bookings by tailoring your space to what's most in demand in your area. Upgrade to an Insights Account to gain an insight into which space types are the most popular.
It’s easy! Head over here and our simple form will guide you through the details.
Once you hit ‘submit’ after completing your listing, your proposed space is reviewed by our team. You can preview your listing and see how it will look while you’re logged in, and you’ll get an email notification once it’s live on the site. Please note that listings are only published during business hours on standard business days. There may be delays during public holiday periods. Listings and listing updates can take up to 3 days to become live on the website.
As a lister, it’s your responsibility to keep all information about your space up to date, including:
- When your listing becomes unavailable/available.
- Any changes to your listing e.g. new equipment, changes in interior, changes in price.
If you’re 100% certain you want to remove your space from the site, or your space has closed permanently, you can archive your space. To do this, go to your “My Spaces” page and click “Edit” on the space you want to archive. Then select “Archive” and click “Save.”
To learn more about your management responsibilities, go to lister resources.
Please note that unmaintained profiles are audited and archived.
Unfortunately, no. Creative Spaces is a platform that connects creatives and does not have the capacity to manage third party spaces.
You can promote your space on social media! Use Instagram and Facebook to create a dedicated online presence for your space. Share high-quality content, creatives who use your space, and what makes your space unique.
Creative Spaces regularly feature spaces on our own social media channels that have:
- High-quality imagery and listing descriptions
- A clear focus on creative use
- Recent updates
We also consider editorial requests from account holders for our email newsletter and on-site content hub.
If you would like to submit your space for consideration on our content channels, please email us a link to your space at creativespaces@melbourne.vic.gov.au.
Learn more at the How to Update My Listing page.
If you’re interested in us
Creative Spaces is a program of the City of Melbourne. Focused on identifying and activating space for the creative sector.
Creative Spaces is an advocate for creative communities. We’re always coming up with ways to make the ever-changing real estate market easier for creatives and arts organisations to navigate. We do this by:
Collating data from our website to build a picture of the creative infrastructure landscape, nationally. This data helps us to advocate for policies that protect and create creative industries, and that drive innovation and economic growth in the sector.
Establishing our own series of properties. We offer these at below market rates, exclusively to creatives. Here, creatives can focus on their work and become involved in a community of artists, all working out of Creative Spaces studios. Learn more about the spaces we manage here.
Our partner network is made up of private and public organisations nationally, with a shared commitment to fostering art, creativity, and innovation.
Being part of our network means being connected to the Creative Spaces community, having access to website data audience across all our marketing channels, and being able to author articles across our channels.
If you are an organisation with an interest in cultural data, we encourage you to reach out about joining our network.
Please contact the Creative Spaces team for more information.
If you're interested in occupying one of Creative Space's operated spaces, you can sign up for our waitlist to be notified when we're accepting expressions of interest by emailing creativespaces@melbourne.vic.gov.au.
Creative Spaces currently manages 8 spaces. Find out more about them below:
Get in touch with our team at creativespaces@melbourne.vic.gov.au to join the waitlist or submit an EOI for any of these spaces.