Funhouse Studio director Cayce Hill was paid a visit by co-founder and chief executive of Startup Muster Monica Wulff this week, who said it reminded her of innovation spaces she had experienced in the much-hyped startup scene of Boulder, Colorado.

“Everyone in Australia is talking about Boulder’s startup community,” the 29-year-old said.

“It’s a very creative, intellectual place, and I think Cayce oozes the mentality and the creativity to create somewhere like that.

“The beauty of a creative space like this is who knows what it will lead to?”

Ms Wulff, who is currently on a national tour discussing changing regional economies, said city spaces often “take themselves too seriously”, and the combination of community and creativity are difficult to find.

“We don’t have enough of these creative, anything goes, non-commercial spaces.”

“It’s her creative outlet, and through that it’s allowing others to use it as their creative outlet.”

Ms Wulff said the space’s fostering of collaboration, in a space allowing for free thought in a safe environment, should be taken beyond the Bega Valley.

“I could see this working in other places too, so I’d love to see Cayce do that,” Ms Wulff said.

Ms Hill said the success of the space rests on the hard work of all involved.

“The Funhouse is a huge testament to the power of community building in the modern age, specifically in regional communities,” Ms Hill said.

“It is very positive, reaffirming feedback to have and has given me a boost to continue to expand and dream about even more possibilities moving forward.”

Year 11 Bega High School Geography student Libby Gowing is currently focusing on the space for a school project.

“I’ve found through my surveys people have said it’s given them a space to get involved, and offers a social space that’s comfortable for the community, where they can learn new skills, meet new people, share ideas and it allows young people to shine,” she said.

“A lot of young people are talking about it,” she said.