Information and Cultural Exchange (ICE) have officially flicked on Switch Digital Arts Centre, the brand new state-of-the-art digital arts and cultural centre (8 Victoria Rd, Parramatta.)

The official launch took place on Wednesday, November 3 and provided an opportunity for ICE to showcase Switch's digital capabilities, celebrate it's debut to the public and thank all parties involved in supporting the ICE and Switch Capital Works Project.

"Switch Digital Arts Centre is a dream many years in the making and we are deeply grateful for the vision and commitment received from our supporters," said Lisa Torrance, ICE Acting Executive Director.

"A storytelling playground in the heart of Parramatta with state of the art digital technologies, Switch is a space where we will actively encourage dynamic interaction between creative individuals and communities by encouraging them to re-imagine their stories and express them in innovative ways."

Switch Digital Arts Centre makes its cutting edge warehouse space with commercial-quality digital media hardware and software, industry experts and professional practitioners accessible to Western Sydney. Switch is powered by ICE and is home to unique digital media training, consultancy and artist professional development programs, including the Creative Catalyst Workspace for artists starting up their own enterprises.

The inaugural month of operation for Switch is already action-packed: ICE will present a Free Talk Series in partnership with Parramasala from November 6-8; Nitin Sawhney will hold a special Filmscoring Masterclass on November 8; and the annual TropWest Forum for filmmakers will be presented on November 10.

Switch has a long evolution in partnership with Parramatta Council, and ICE has received a generous long-term lease for it's new venue from the Catholic Diocese Church of Parramatta to re-house and upgrade it's Switch and ICE facilities.

Core funding for the Switch Capital Works Project has come from the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) - Investing in Community and Training Initiative (ICET). Additional funding was also received from the NSW Government/Arts NSW, Human Services, Department of Community Services and the Community Building Partnerships initiative.

Switch Digital Arts Centre is open to the public from 10am – 4pm, Monday to Friday and is available for hire outside of these hours. A full range of state-of-the-art equipment is also available for hire at community prices. Visit the website for further information.