ST ARNAUD'S main street is set to be revitalised through a new initiative designed to increase tourism and boost trade.
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Napier Street shop owners have been invited to open their doors to resident artists, who will transform their windows into art displays.
Northern Grampians Councillor Merrilee Reid said the council-led initiave was a Victorian first.
Cr Reid said it was an opportunity for the town to reactivate unused shops and houses.
"The shop fronts and the wall spaces in between will make up a series of installations and murals, conceived as one overall artwork," she said.
"Through promotional activities, the street museum will increase tourism to St Arnaud, bringing great social and economic benefit to the community."
Cr Reid said the project was part of an artist in residency program, a key component of the St Arnaud Civic Precinct Plan to enhance the town's liveability and promote visitation.
Participating shops will have a large temporary screen placed at the back of their front window.
Artwork will be placed in the space immediately inside.
Cr Reid said creative signs would be printed on the window to advertise the shop, street museum and the artist whose work was on display.
James Geurts will be the first artist in residence in St Arnaud from September to December this year.
"Based on the success of this, other contemporary artists will be invited to reside in St Arnaud for a one to three month period, to adapt the exhibition with the changing seasons," Cr Reid said.
Council is developing the project in partnership with experienced curator Maudie Palmer.
Palmer is a former curator at the University of Melbourne's Ian Potter Museum.
She established the Herring Island Environmental Sculpture Park, and was the inaugural director of the Heide Museum of Modern Art and TarraWarra Museum of Art.
Cr Reid said people could call council's community partnership officer Carly Garonne on 5358 0507 for more information about the St Arnaud Street Museum.