24 June, 2013

Get your thinking caps on … applications open soon

After a hugely successful round two of Splash Adelaide, City of Adelaide is encouraging entrepreneurs, visionaries and anyone with a good idea or three to put their thinking caps on and get creative ready for Splash Adelaide round three when applications open on 8th July.

“Splash Adelaide gives people a way to try out their entrepreneurial ideas without investing huge amounts of time and money,” said Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood.

“Over the past two rounds we’ve been amazed at the breadth, scope and popularity of some of the ideas that have been trialled, and are keen to see what else people can come up with to enliven our streets. This round Council is really keen to hear from people interested in testing out ideas in the early evening as well.

“Splash gives people the chance to experiment with ideas and the beauty of Splash is the ease with which events can be set up and taken down, or eventually turned into viable sustainable business models,” he said.

Penny McAuley, Vibrant City Program Manager says city activation is a way of taking previously underutilised spaces and letting people trial ideas for providing activities, entertainment or interest to other members of the community.

“All it takes is a bit of imagination and a little help from Council and some of these ideas can really grow legs, as we’ve already seen from the past Splash successes.

“We’ve upped the ante this time, and it’ll be more competitive with the criteria much tighter than previously. We’re looking for really high quality concepts and innovation and originality.

“Anyone interested, including people who are already running businesses in the city, should put their thinking caps on and come up with their ideas ready for applications opening on the 8th of July,” she said.

Some of last round’s success stories include the Adelaide Night Markets which were held on Sunday evenings throughout summer, and The Tunnels art exhibition held in the disused tunnels underneath the former Treasury Building in the city.

“Council wants to make it as easy as possible for the community and businesses to create great places from previously underused spaces where people can get together and enjoy food, entertainment and other activities,” agreed the Lord Mayor.

Splash Adelaide is a joint campaign by the City of Adelaide and State Government that aims to bring our city streets and laneways to life.

Rebecca Draysey