From 14 April Victoria University is operating in a pop-up space in the heart of Footscray. For a limited time, we'll be there showcasing arts & sports activities, offering free health checks and course advice, and many other activities to the people of Footscray.
The space at MetroWest on Nicholson Street in Footscray, will run until the end of June. It is open to students, staff and the general public.
We have planned a range of activities for different interest areas, for example:
- activities to get active with Xbox and Wii fit sports challenges
- the chance to take in some culture and meet artist in residence Benjamin Cittadini
- learn more about cutting edge health research
- hear about being energy smart and using electricity safely.
Free health checks
Free health checks, screening programmes and nutrition advice will be provided throughout May and June.
VU Health Advisor Jo-anna Brandenburg has provided free health checks on Monday 14 and Tuesday 15 April.
She said: “If it has been more than two years since you have had your blood pressure checked, now is the time.”
She urged those who have not recently had their body mass index (BMI) or waist measurements checked to come along to her free clinics.
“These simple check-ups can indicate some risk factors relating to heart disease and diabetes,” she said.
Music production on site
The VU Jam Jar will see the University’s best talent record live in the fishbowl environment of the shop’s front window.
VU music students will spend a week from 6 - 10 May performing, recording, editing and cutting music. You, as a member of the public, will be welcome to watch and interact with the creative process.
May sports fortnight
Fitness fanatics can look forward to VU Pop Up Shop Sports Fortnight. For two weeks, from 19 - 30 May, MetroWest will host a variety of sports including:
- badminton
- taekwondo
- cheerleading
- fitness testing
- flash CPR and emergency training
- talent identification.
Creative art space
There will be numerous art installations and artists using the space to show off their talent throughout the pop-up period.
The stimulating Oracle installation will be on show for the entire length of the Pop Up Shop while artists involved in the Big West Festival and Emerge in the West Festival will also be using the space as a hub to enthral the public.
The Oracle installation is a complex exhibition of intricately designed large scale kinetic art installations each designed to interact with the audience in unique ways.
Inspired by the oracles of ancient myths and legends, each installation makes use of robotics and scientific principle to respond to physical presence or oral commands to engage the participant. The installations are designed to engage audiences of all ages and is a fusion of art and science.
In June, Artist in Residence Benjamin Cittadini will move in. Those passing by will be encouraged to get involved with his work titled “Wasted Space” which explores the current status of art, identity and urban renewal in Footscray.
Footscray University Town
The VU pop-up shop is part of the larger Footscray University Town project – a longer term plan which hopes to generate rapid economic and social change and rejuvenation through education.
VU’s Vice-President of Marketing and Advancement Brooke Young said:
“The MetroWest Pop-Up Shop is about bringing VU into the heart of the Footscray Community. We already have two campuses at either end of Nicholson Street - Footscray Park and Footscray Nicholson.
The MetroWest building will act as a merging point through which the academic, creative, health and sporting activities at which VU excels, can be showcased and shared.
“We hope that the VU pop-up shop at MetroWest will be a beacon for
the future development of the area. We hope to see Footscray become a
University Town which includes student accommodation, an arts
precinct with visual and performing arts spaces, and a sports precinct
with elite sports facilities and a sports industry incubator."
