Gladstone's Crow Street Creative crowdfunding to raise the roof

Gladstone’s Crow Street Creative is an eclectic community-driven hub for the arts and live entertainment nestled unexpectedly in the industrial fringes of the CBD.

Now the nonprofit behind the precinct is shaking the tin to raise the roof - literally, to protect their venue from rain and sun.

Crow Street’s activities include classes, workshops, markets and festivals, exhibitions, live music and open mics, and it’s home to resident artists and businesses.

They’ve gained a loyal and diverse audience over the last three years

and their regular events are now staples of Gladstone's cultural calendar.

Only one thing (they say) stands between Crow Street Creative Inc and absolute greatness: adequate protection against weather events and sun exposure.

Their events currently revolve around an open courtyard, and a few showers can be enough to cancel event, while sun safety is an absolute priority here in Queensland.

Their crowdfunding campaign, currently running on Chuffed, aims to fund weather protection for the precinct:

• A permanent roof over the outdoor stage, to protect musicians and technicians from weather related injury and safeguard musical and electrical equipment

• Umbrellas to protect audiences from sun exposure and promote sun safety, and also shelter them in case rain affects an event.

• Avoid cancelling events on rainy days due to health and safety issues, which in turn prevents disappointment and inconvenience to audiences and loss of income for performers and the nonprofit

• Create a more versatile outdoors space so creative businesses running from the Crow Street precinct can offer new activities and workshops like music and dance, circus, and visual arts, while keeping everyone involved safe from sun or rain exposure.

Crow Street Creative has calculated they need $44,000 to complete the planned works.

Perks for donors include organisation memberships, VIP tables at Crow Street events, and exposure opportunities for businesses and other publicity-seekers. And every dollar takes them closer to an all-weather venue for expanded artistic shenanigans in the Harbour City.