Monday, 21 December, 2020 - 11:43
As the residential property market escalates, and as increasing numbers move into city apartments, a need for inner city spaces for exchange and community is growing. With significant growth in commercial property left vacant since Covid-19 hit, the programme Urban Dream Brokerage is relaunching in Wellington to provide vital spaces for people to exchange, meet and help the city develop.
Following its first run between 2012 and 2018 in response to the Global Financial Crisis, creative space programme Urban Dream Brokerage (UDB) has been relaunched funded by the Wellington City Council Tipu Toa: Build Back Better / City Recovery fund.
Sophie Jerram, co-founder, said she was thrilled to restart the brokerage, which is run under the auspices of the Wellington Independent Arts Trust. Jerram said the brokerage had been brought back thanks to about $150,000 in funding from Wellington City Council’s Covid recovery fund, which covers one year. That would help pay for artists’ projects. Previously, artists created work from their own pockets. “Finding space is one thing,” Jerram said. “To get projects executed and pay for materials is another. It’s good to get support from the council.” As of this year, the brokerage had brokered space for more than 120 projects, spanning more than 40 property owners.