By Neeraj Nanda
MELBOURNE, 11 April: The Indian Cultural Precinct in Dandenong’s (Little India) Foster Street, is all set to move into a new format with the ‘Indian Cultural Precinct Framework’ being endorsed by the Task Force set up by the Victorian government to oversee the project.
To kick off the new Framework, through the first projects in Little India, visitors to the Little India Cultural Precinct will soon notice a big injection of color and vibrancy on the streets at key locations. Street art emerged as a highly popular idea through the development of the Framework. It was widely considered as a positive way to add color, vibrancy, life & spice – matching the feelings and experiences you have inside the shops on the street.
Three experienced artists Rowena Martinich, Geoffrey Carran and Mike Eleven will be creating new artworks in the precinct in April. They will bring to life the many narratives that underpin Little India and will add to the experience of being in the precinct. The contemporary artworks are expected to speak to old and new audiences alike creating great photo opportunities for sharing and promoting the precinct.
Two large sites near the parking behind the main shops and another on the corner of Mason Street and Foster Street will be transformed from drab to fab in April!
“The Framework captures community aspirations and will assist in guiding future development of the Indian offer in Dandenong. It includes a shared vision for Melbourne’s Premier Indian Precinct and identifies 140 initiatives categorized under the six Precinct Objectives: Presentation and Curation, Trade Experience, Marketing and Partnerships, Festivals and Events, Community Hub and Development,” says the Dandenong Activity Centre – Indian Cultural Precinct Bulletin (April 2018).
The Indian Cultural Precinct Taskforce met on six occasions in 2017 and will meet every two months throughout 2018. The Taskforce is chaired by Gabrielle Williams MP and consists of 10 community representatives and 5 government staff from the state and local council. The Taskforce will continue to oversee implementation of the Indian Cultural Precinct Framework and provide advice and strategic input on Melbourne’s first Indian Cultural Precinct, including monitoring the $500,000 grant expenditure which has now been made available, in part to Council, to commence priority works in the precinct.
