Octapod is a not-for-profit independent arts and media organisation located in a big hot open plan space in the heart of the Civic Precinct in Newcastle. Part-time staff and lots of volunteers nurture local creative projects, including festivals, a media space, and a gallery – just waiting for you to get involved. We can also provide ideas and resources to help you get your project off the ground. Become a member of the Octapod and get access to a network of likeminded creative types, kooky kids and people with know-how. The Pod is an energetic space housing a significant Zine Library (come and browse, or maybe you wanna make your own?), a Community Media Space (learn media skills to share your stories), Podspace Gallery (contact us with your exhibition ideas), meeting and workshop space for community groups (tables and chairs, or lounges), big white wall (for screening films), and internet café (printing, photocopying and web access by donation). SeedPod Residency Program In 2008 Octapod launched its SeedPod Residency Program - designed to offer resources to organisers of local arts and community cultural projects. Under this program Residents have 24/7 access to shared office facilities, a meeting space, storage space, cheap access to office equipment and Octapod's Community Media Space facilities. Residents generally pay a small monthly fee. Each year one free residency spot is offered. 2010 Resident Profiles Octapod currently has five Residents: Cultural STOMP Festival Originally created as a protest against Pauline Hanson's One Nation party, Cultural STOMP is held each year in Civic Park as a one day festival celebrating and promoting cultural diversity, social justice, environment and the arts. STOMP have used the Octapod space as its festival HQ since 1997. They currently use the space for meetings, storage and as the festival postal address. Kumera Soup Kitchen Kumera use the space as an office and meeting space, accessing internet and printing facilities. Hunter Council of Social Services (HCOSS) HCOSS moved into Octapod in February 2009. They use the space for monthly board meetings, office and storage space. Pelican Press (new community paper) Pelican Press is an independent voice for people, communities and issues giant media outlets ignore. They are a paper that communicates between people and not just to people. They believe that communities are shaped and created by the people who live in them and the societies around them, not just by the national forces we hear about in major media. Social change is not only possible, but is happening all the time. Pelican Press is a part of this process. If you are interested in writing, editing, photography, layout or website design they would love to hear from you. Pelican Press use the space as an office and meeting space. pressedpelican@gmail.com
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