Central city  |  12 Oct 2022

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A colourfully painted 20-foot shipping container in Cashel Mall is helping give Christchurch innovators and budding entrepreneurs a chance to test their ideas and products with the public.

The shipping container is Life in Vacant Spaces’ Incubator and has been set up to provide groups and individuals with an affordable central city space where they can test out an early idea or project.

“We have a number of people coming to us with some amazing ideas to showcase, however, the commercial cost of a central city space is far out of reach for these individuals,’’ says LiVS Director Elisha Blogg.

“We wanted to give people an opportunity to be able to showcase their projects and ideas and bring back some of the diversity of projects central Christchurch once had.’’

“The world is currently going through significant change and we want to continue to support great ideas and encourage people to give things a go,’’ adds LiVS project co-ordinator Lydia Thomas.

“LiVS recognises that starting out and getting something off the ground can be difficult to navigate. The Incubator is here to help individuals kick-off their journey with additional support through collaboration.’’

People can use the Incubator for anywhere between 10 days and to months. Throughout the duration of each project, LiVS will provide advice and practical support around funding and project management. If a particular project does thrive within the temporary space, LiVS can then work with the participant to find an ongoing more permanent and suitable space for their project.

Since launching in September, the Incubator has successfully supported three projects.

The White Room Creative Space created a visual record through community engagement with the arts by plastering the incubator space with white paper and blank postcards. Led by two questions – 'who are you?' and 'where are you from?' – members of the community were invited to engage with the empty space in whatever artistic fashion they saw fit.

Second to use the Incubator was Ilam School of Fine Arts student Harriette Herlund, who created her home studio environment within the public space called Arcana Studio.

The Incubator is currently being used by Duckewe, an eco skate brand, who created their Duckewe Expo which showcases the brand’s journey with insights into small business, fashion, local art and design, fitness, plastic pollution and native tree conservation.

LiVS is currently inviting applications from groups and individuals keen to use the Incubator from December so if you have an idea that you would like to explore further email info@livs.org.nz.

The Incubator is being supported by Christchurch City Council.