Library awards $280K to Victorian creatives

Radical dining experiences, augmented reality tours and literary escape rooms are among 14 winning proposals in the Library’s inaugural Alchemy program, announced today.

The successful participants have each received $20,000 to develop a creative concept for an inspirational onsite or online visitor experience that draws on the Library’s reimagined spaces and vast collection.

The Library received more than 300 applications for the program, which aims to build sustainable visitor experiences that will change perceptions of what a library can be, while also supporting the recovering creative industries.

In addition to receiving $20,000 to develop a detailed creative concept for consideration by the Library, participants will receive:

• access to the State Library Victoria team to support the development process;
• one-to-one advice from an experienced creative entrepreneur;
• and complimentary membership to the Library’s StartSpace Loft, with six months access to dedicated co-working spaces, programs and networks. ​

The full list of successful Alchemy participants and their proposals can be found on State Library Victoria’s website.

State Library Victoria CEO, Kate Torney said she is thrilled to see so many creative Victorians eager to unlock the endless potential of the Library and its collections.

“We invited people to reimagine the library experience and the response has been inspiring. We were inundated with ideas, which demonstrates the depth of talent and creativity in our community.

“We’re excited to work with the successful applicants to help us design surprising new visitor experiences, further cementing the vital role the Library plays in Victoria,” said Ms Torney.