"We will, of course, continue to promote local artists, but we'll also find ways of bringing national and international artists to the Substation," said Mr Gaden, the centre's newly appointed director.

"We are in a great location, and I want to rid the negative notion some people have about the western suburbs.

"I can see a time when people will cross the bridge to come and see something here, rather than the other way around.

"This will become a destination venue in the same way Scienceworks has."

Substation will be given a facelift with a $1.2million grant from the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, and Arts Victoria.

"The money was allocated specifically for arts infrastructure," Mr Gaden said. "We will fit out the venue with [more] seating, stages, lights, sound systems and offices and a cafe."

Most of the work is expected to be completed by June.

"The feedback from people has been amazing.

"Event and theatre producers who didn't even know this place existed all marvelled at the space we have here, so the signs are really positive for the future.

"They can all see the potential this great site has."

Mr Gaden, whose most-recent position was that of programming manager at the Footscray Community Arts Centre,

has been working in the arts field for about 15 years and has a long history of venue and festival management.

He said The Substation had a "huge history of community involvement and we need to honour that."

The first artists' market for the year is from 10am to 4pm this Saturday at The Substation, 1 Market Street, Newport.