Media Release
A partnership initiative to support the creative sector across five Council areas in Victoria’s southwest has reached a significant milestone.
The South West Creative Industries Strategy 2025-2029 has been released, outlining a collaborative plan to support and grow the local creative sector over the next four years.
Spanning disciplines from visual and performing arts to fashion, craft, literature, architecture, digital games, creative technologies and more, the document provides a vision for a thriving and interconnected creative community.
The Strategy builds on 18 years of work in the region by Regional Arts Victoria with support from federal, state and local governments, Traditional Owners, industry bodies, philanthropic organisations and community.
Strategy partners including Corangamite, Glenelg, Moyne, Southern Grampians, and Warrnambool Councils, have reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the sector, collaborating across borders to foster growth and sustainability.
Shaped by community and stakeholder consultation, research and annual surveys, the Strategy reflects current sector priorities. Feedback on the draft Strategy collated in 2025 revealed:
- Whilst the Strategy outlines many unique strengths and opportunities for the southwest’s creative sector, respondents identified 15 critical opportunities to improve sustainability, from audience development and marketing to income, space and opportunities to learn and connect;
- Respondents supported the Strategy’s innovative approach to addressing social, cultural and economic challenges, from creatives’ wellbeing and career development, to driving visitation and retaining talent;
- While there’s an indication of local and regional connectivity, only 28% of creatives currently collaborate across the region;
- 317 comments and 102 suggestions for programs and partnerships fed directly into the Strategy and the Action Plan currently in development;
- What excites people most about the Strategy is “that it exists”, that there’s attention on and advocacy for the sector at all levels of government, and opportunities to support diverse demographics, artforms and small communities.
Jo Porter, CEO Regional Arts Victoria, highlighted the Strategy’s significance;
“This initiative was Victoria’s first regional creative strategy. It became a blueprint for others including the G21 region’s Making Change strategy and is a national benchmark in terms of regional innovation and collaboration. It continues to evolve in response to community needs and available opportunities.”
Evaluation of the 2020-2024 Strategy demonstrated how this work led to critical investment and significant outcomes for creatives, with this second Strategy building upon these foundations.
RAV’s South West Regional Manager, Stacey Barnes outlined its impact;
“From $2.1 million in directly leveraged funding and cross-sector collaboration to dedicated Council strategies and incredible goals being achieved by local creatives, the first strategy was extraordinarily impactful. We’ve seen huge progress but there’s still much to do, and exciting opportunities ahead.”
The renewed Strategy refocuses efforts to address the evolving needs of the creative sector in a post-COVID and economically challenging landscape, under the key pillars of First Peoples, Creative Communities, Professional and Business Development alongside Young People and Families.
Planned programs include opportunities for skill building, mentorships, networking and cross-sector collaboration, from partnership initiatives and youth-led ideas to regional trails and touring circuits. Other priorities include advocacy, celebrating the region’s creative talent, and increasing access to spaces, resources and opportunities.
This regional approach has attracted philanthropic support from the South West Community Foundation and the Fletcher Jones Family Foundations, who have invested in place-based initiatives that support the sector’s sustainability, including a networking event planned for 27 May 2025.
South West Community Foundation’s Executive Officer, Annabel Cussen said;
“It is fantastic to see multiple organisations collaborating to support creative communities in such a strategic way. This Strategy is an essential tool for maximizing the cultural and economic potential of Southwest Victoria’s creative industries. We look forward to its impact in shaping a vibrant future for the region.”
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Media Contact: Kate Gerritsen | 0412 950 023 | [email protected]
Posted 31 March 2025