Footscray Community Arts is excited to announce Lango, a brand-new, architecturally designed outdoor performance space opening in November 2025. The venue, designed by MGS Architects with landscaping by Simone Bliss Landscape Architects, will be a community-led space for live music, community events, creatively ambitious performances, markets, and cultural ceremonies. This design announcement showcases the thoughtfully integrated artwork by Indigenous artist Moorina Bonini and reflects extensive consultation with Footscray Community Art’s Indigenous Advisory Group, ensuring that cultural perspectives and connection to Country have been embedded throughout the space. In Woi-Wurrung, Lango means “on the edge”—a powerful reference to both the space’s location on the banks of the Maribyrnong River in Footscray, and to the spirit of innovation that defines Melbourne’s western suburbs.
The word “Lango” has been gifted by Wurundjeri Elder and Footscray Community Arts’ Indigenous Advisory Group member, Aunty Annette Xiberras. Originally from a diary of language words preserved by to Aunty Annette’s grandmother, its use reflects an ongoing commitment to language preservation and cultural revitalisation—something Footscray Community Arts is honoured to be part of.Realised through an $8.7m State Government investment, the precinct is a significant infrastructure upgrade for the west, where the population is expected to grow by 60% by 2041. This landmark investment highlights the vibrant culture that has been growing with the support of Footscray Community Arts.
Julia White, Chair of the centre says, “Last year, we celebrated the 50-year Anniversary of Footscray Community Arts. This represents an immense contribution to the arts in Victoria, and to our community. This year, we’re proud to continue this contribution with a revitalised outdoor performance space —ensuring we remain the home of live music, storytelling, and cultural practice in the west for the next 50 years.”
To mark the opening of Lango, Footscray Community Arts is throwing two free music events for community, with the first to be held in January 2026. So far confirmed on January 31 will be neo soul singer NOV KAIIT, and DJ PGZ.
The Lango Stage is the centrepiece of a bold new design for the Footscray Community Arts precinct. Designed by MGS Architects in collaboration with Simone Bliss Landscape Architects, the redevelopment replaces the centre’s much-loved but aged bluestone amphitheatre with an ambitious new structure that brings culture, Country, and community to the forefront.
“Delivering a richly layered project like Footscray Community Arts in a community that we have also lived and breathed in over many years adds an extra layer of significance for both Simone (Bliss) and I” says Joshua Wheeler, Director, MGS Architects
The new stage features three overlapping shells, whose sculptural form is cloaked in patterns by First Nations artist, Moorina Bonini, that draw from South Eastern Kulin Nations mark-making representing Ancestors watching over performers. This connection mirrors historical practices, where ceremonies were once held under the stars, aligning with the locality of Place.
Moorina Bonini is a proud descendant of the Yorta Yorta Dhulunyagen family clan of Ulupna and the Yorta Yorta, Wurundjeri, and Wiradjuri Briggs/McCrae family and says, “The design is subtle yet strong, embodying the presence and significance of Sky Country and the Ancestors, deeply rooted in Aboriginal storytelling.”
The precinct’s design also reimagines the landscape. A gently sloping, accessible pathway—referred to as One Path for All—guides visitors from the existing galleries down to the stage and riverfront. Lined with bluestone salvaged from the former amphitheatre, this path physically and symbolically connects the past with the future.
A reindigenised landscape wraps the precinct with native grasses, tree plantings, and rain gardens designed to care for Country and support biodiversity, while preserving green space for community use. A custom-designed fire bowl by Moorina Bonini, created in collaboration with neighbouring blacksmith forge Waterside Metal Art, provides a dedicated space for First Nations storytelling and smoking ceremonies—embedding cultural practice at the heart of the precinct.
Daniel Santageli, CEO Artistic Director says, “The Lango Stage is a powerful expression of our commitment to a First Nations-first approach, guided by the leadership of Footscray Community Arts’ longstanding Indigenous Advisory Group throughout the design process.
We’re proud to be embedding cultural knowledge and connection to Country into the heart of this space—most notably through commissioned artworks by artist Moorina Bonini and by re-indigenising the landscape with SBLA’s designs.”
While the structure of the Lango Stage has steadily taken shape over the past nine months, unforeseen underground conditions early in the build led to additional foundation work – increasing the overall construction costs. To bring the venue to completion and ensure it opens in full scope as planned, Footscray Community Arts has launched a fundraising campaign to raise $70,000 by the end of October 2025. Community members, partners, and supporters are invited to contribute and help realise the final stage of this vision.
Member for Footscray and Parliamentary Secretary for Creative Industries Katie Hall MP says, “Footscray Community Arts’ Lango will cement Footscray as the arts and culture capital of Melbourne’s west. I am proud to have secured $8.7 million to make this project happen”
Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks MP says, “Lango will be a stunning addition to Footscray Community Arts and incredible outdoor performance space for the communities of Melbourne’s west.”
