Parramatta. ICE seeking RTO status

The Information Cultural Exchange (ICE) is “striving” for registered training organisation (RTO) status with its new improved Digital Arts Centre, Switch, due to re-open in November, offering an inclusive, creative space to collaborate, learn, experiment and explore digital technologies through a range of pathways. Switch, located on the corner of Victoria Road and Villiers Street, in the CBD, is now a refurbished, contemporary, state-of-the-art warehouse space for artists. The new space includes training labs, recording and vocal studio, audio visual room, green screen room, performance space and the staff offices for ICE. On the horizon, pending funding, is the new Creative Enterprise Hub, which will offer artists space to create and run their own businesses in the quest to make a living from their art.

Parramatta. ICE to set up creative hub

The Parramatta-based Information and Cultural Exchange (ICE) is setting up a creative hub that can provide a program of support and mentorship for those who want to establish digital arts-based enterprises and businesses, said ICE, executive director, Lena Nahlous. Saber Baluch, from Liverpool, a 21-year-old communications student, at the University of Western Sydney, is one such person. His creative business plan impressed the judges and he was awarded Western Sydney's most coveted young creative entrepreneur award, the Create Media Incubation prize, with prizes totaling $10,000 in the form of equipment, office space, training and professional mentorship. He will have his own video camera and edit suite as well as office space, with access to training and mentorship, allowing him to set up his own creative enterprise.