It’s hard to put into words about the importance of the Nicholas to the vibrancy of the design and arts industry in Melbourne, but lack of skill has not stopped me forming an opinion in the past.
Back story first…
I had visited the Nicholas Building many times, Blindside, Stuart McLaughlin Gallery and Retrostar. It was intriguing, funky and I thought, out of my league.
Years later, after searching fruitlessly for months I finally found a space that fit me. I had the opportunity to get a desk in a studio without a name on the top floor, wrapped around the light well, with cracked glass, patchy floors and cobbled together partition walls. And I fell in love. I knew as soon as I walked in that this was the space for me. I’ve not been happier in a space for a long time. All the other studio people are gorgeous humans with kind souls and generous hearts.
We chat about our days, our work, our challenges. We help each other with knowledge and work arounds. We are respectful of everyone’s space and need for quiet to concentrate with things as they are happening. Every time I walk in I feel grateful and honoured and when I think about it, I pinch myself, it’s a dream come true.
It has taken me a while to get into a groove in but in the time I’ve been there I’ve managed to illustrate my first picture book and get commissions and become a financially viable business. Some things didn’t pan out, but pandemics have a tendency to put the brakes on, not to worry, things will level out.
The news that the Nicholas Building was to be sold has, however, added a frisson to the building and conversations depressingly repetitive. There is a push to keep it as is, maybe with help from state or local government or that a billionaire investor will see it’s value as the previous owners have and we will be able to keep trucking on as per the previous years. Realistically I’m not sure. If the government (whatever level) get involved it will end up with a level of bureaucratic control which will disenfranchise most of the buildings current community. If an investor buys it, who knows, apartments I guess, so we’ll be out.
So why is the Nicholas Building special?
There are a few reasons.
Firstly, it is affordable, the space I share costs me a little over $100 per week. Its about 9 square meters, unheated and no water, but I have good natural light and great company and I can do messy work if I want.
Secondly, it is located near public transport, (I can’t afford a car or parking) and central, all trains and trams lead to the city, and it is in a busy area. When I work late into the night and I leave I am walking out onto Swanston Street, there are people everywhere and PSO’s at the station. (previously I had a studio in Mornington, in the industrial area, after 6.00pm it was dead scary)
Thirdly, I am surrounded by people who share the same challenges. A community that understands the highs and lows of the creative life, people who support me and me them when ever we can. It has the emotional sense of belonging I have never felt before. Everywhere else, I was the weird one…
Lastly, and most importantly, because the Nicholas Building does not judge me. There are no ‘grants bodies’ who decide if me and my work is worthy, there are no imposed values from bureaucrats ensuring I suit their view of what art is. I am not subject to the ‘public funded’ ownership of my work, the condescension of ‘rate payers’ or ‘taxpayers’ implying I should be grateful for the sacrifice they have made for me to be an artist. Or the media commentators who think they can further their own commercial benefit by pilling on artists because they received some public funding.
Now for the future…
I totally understand the trustees deciding to sell the building, it is theirs to sell, and they have been very generous for years, not just financially, but with how they have provided their support.
What the trustees have done has been a true patron of the arts. No fancy soirée or wing named after them, they have provided what most people want but few will see as truly worthwhile. Judgement free access to learn, grow, do, be wildly eccentric, create exquisite art, make amazing things, test, fail, succeed. For that, I thank them from the bottom of my heart.
But, if the Nicholas Building, as the last of the affordable artists spaces in the CBD and it’s creative community is lost, Melbourne will be poorer.
All the other places like this have gone, and without the artists and artisans in the city, Melbourne will have killed off the thing that made it the arts capital.
You can sign the petition here:
https://me.getup.org.au/petitions/save-the-nicholas-building-creative-community
And follow on the socials here:
https://twitter.com/nichbuilding
https://twitter.com/nicholasbldg
https://www.instagram.com/thenicholasbuilding/
