The Room to Create Panel is a sub-committee of YAARTS which provides specialist advice on matters related to creative infrastructure in the City of Yarra.

We are concerned about infrastructure-related issues facing the creative sector, including:

• affordability
• security of tenure
• fit for purpose spaces
• capacity to operate in an area of increasing density and amenity challenges.

In 2014 we established the Room to Create Fund (the Fund) with the Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation. This is a perpetual fund to support creative infrastructure in Yarra.

The Fund is one way that we support a valued sector by helping to create more affordable spaces. We hope this enables arts and cultural organisations to be more economically viable with the incentive to stay in Yarra. It will also strengthen artistic practice and retain an economic driver in Yarra.

To find out more about the panel view the terms of reference [ PDF, 177.17 KB] .

Room to Create panel membership

Yarra Councillors Edward Crossland (Deputy Mayor) and Stephen Jolly are members of the panel.

Justin Nott

Justin is an independent director, writer and festival programmer whose theatre practice explores experientialism, subversion and formal play in queer, post-dramatic and highly visual pieces. By interrogating the relationship between body, space and text, he creates performances of ambitious scope, composing physical and poetic scores to construct complex visual narratives.

Justin's most recent directing credit is Variations or Exit Music, a queer autobiographical play he also wrote which premiered at La Mama Courthouse September 15-25, 2022. The piece received rave reviews and saw sold-out audiences across the season.

Julia Gregg

Julia is an arts manager, and an advocate for the creative communities of Yarra. Julia has worked across publishing, the creative industries and not-for-profit arts organisation, and currently works as Executive Manager, Strategy and Development at Collingwood Yards in Yarra.

Matthew Fung

Matthew is an interior architect and a practising artist. He has worked in the building industry for over 8 years working in several firms and studios as a designer and fabricator across Sydney and Melbourne. Matthew lives and works in Yarra.

Harriet Mantell

Harriet is a long time resident of Collingwood. She has worked both in the public and private sector, in Australia and overseas. She has also been a community activist to save the inner north from a massive road development. Harriet is passionate about continuing support for creativity in Yarra.

Shini Pararajashingham

Shini is the Founder and Director of Off the Kerb. Her role is in the strategic direction of the gallery and the creation of a calendar of exhibitions and special artistic projects that contribute to a dynamic independent arts sector in Melbourne renowned for innovation, excellence and internationally recognized standards. Shini works and owns a business in Yarra.