Victoria University is bringing art, sport, free health checks and more to the heart of Footscray.
Students, staff and the public are being encouraged to drop into the temporary shopfront at Metro West on Nicholson Street until the end of June.
University marketing and advancement vice-president Brooke Young says visitors can get involved with Xbox and Wii sports challenges, take in some culture or learn about cutting-edge health research.
“The Metro West building will act as a merging point through which the academic, creative, health and sporting activities at which VU excels can be showcased and shared,” she said.
The pop-up initiative ties in with VU’s mission to reinvent Footscray as a “university town” with student accommodation and art and sport precincts.
Other highlights include an artist-in- residence and a VU Jam Jar, in which the university’s best musical talent will record in the shop’s front window from May 6 to 10.
In June, artist Benjamin Cittadini will encourage passers-by to get involved with his work Wasted Space, which explores art, identity and urban renewal in Footscray.
VU nurse Jo-anna Brandenburg was on hand during last week’s opening day to provide free health checks.
“These simple check-ups can indicate some risk factors relating to heart disease and diabetes,” Ms Brandenburg said.
