LiveHouse has left the Carlton Housing Estate in Melbourne to hybernate over winter.

LiveHouse is an arts platform for creative inter-action of residents of the Carlton Housing Estate in Melbourne, and part of the Carlton Flats Arts Project. LiveHouse is physically based on a modified portable shipping container that opens up to provide an open-air undercover space for creative activities. The LiveHouse is temporarily installed on the corner of Drummond and Palmerston Streets Carlton.

A wide range of LiveHouse creative uses and performance will be developed from October, with a celebration event taking place in mid November 2009. The project aims to explore the potential for further use of LiveHouse on the estate, and for touring LiveHouse as a unique artistic expression of a changing Carlton to audiences beyond the estate.

LiveHouse is …

 

led by tenants

The LiveHouse is led by a group of Estate tenants who agree to be the Hosts each time the LiveHouse is used. A simple training program assists tenants to become Hosts.

 

creative resident inter-action

The LiveHouse is best used for activities that encourage interaction between people. This may be for performing music, theatre and presentations like Harmony Day; for coffee ceremonies and sharing food and games; for creative activity workshops; for a community market; for making a community newsletter or for community creative gatherings. 

 

creative use by community-groups

The LiveHouse is accessible to community groups to book for creative uses. These may be one-off activities or regularly repeated activites. A community Group Leader must participate when using LiveHouse.

 

open-air open access

The LiveHouse is an undercover public location open to the weather. Uses that are open to the public are encouraged.

 

shared space

The LiveHouse is used in different ways by different groups at different times, or at the same time, managed by a calendar booking system. Bookings are prioritised by the decisions of the group of Hosts. Video and photos of activities at LiveHouse are shared and able to be discussed on the project website. 

 

welcoming visible, diverse expressions 

The LiveHouse gives expression to the diverse communities of residents on the estate. These expressions aim to inspire interest and participation in tenants of the Estate and in the broader Carlton community.

 

surface for stickers

The exterior of LiveHouse is for stickers made by residents. Workshops are taking place to hand-make and computer-cut stickers. A training program will assist tenants become operators of the computer-cut sticker process. 

 

creative opportunities for personal and community development

The LiveHouse supports people developing their creative interests. LiveHouse can act as a stepping stone for activities that could grow to attract further support and become independent.

 

potential to tour

The LiveHouse is portable and has the potential to tour to locations beyond the Carlton Estate. LiveHouse could become a unique creative expression of Carlton Estate that could tour to community events at other Housing Estates, ethnic community events and at arts festivals in Melbourne and regional Victoria.