Media Release
Creatives across southwest Victoria are invited to take part in a regional pulse-check on the creative industries. The annual Creative Confidence Poll led by Regional Arts Victoria is now open, seeking to understand how those working in the southwest’s creative sector are feeling about their current circumstances and future outlook.
The poll is part of the South West Creative Industries Strategy 2025–2029, a collaborative plan to strengthen the creative sector across the region. The Strategy is led by Regional Arts Victoria in partnership with five local councils: Corangamite, Glenelg, Moyne, Southern Grampians and Warrnambool, with support from federal and state governments and other regional stakeholders. The Strategy positions creativity and creative practitioners as central to the region’s cultural, social and economic wellbeing.
The 2024 poll showed increasing optimism, with 65% of respondents feeling confident or very confident in their own creative practice over the next 12 months — a 12% rise from 2023. Only 18% felt unconfident or very unconfident about the region’s creative communities and industries more broadly.
RAV’s South West Regional Manager, Stacey Barnes, encouraged creatives take part in the poll,
“Last year’s insights helped us understand the state of the sector and the impact of the first South West Creative Industries Strategy. This year, we’re hoping not only to track trends, but to give creatives the chance to highlight their current priorities and needs.”
The poll is open to creatives of all kinds living or working in southwest Victoria, with 2024’s respondents connected to 23 diverse creative practices.
Responses are invited from local artists, makers, crafters, designers, writers, photographers, videographers, producers, musicians, or those working in performing arts, media, advertising, fashion, film, gaming, architecture, museums, galleries, literature and publishing.
Arts workers and those connected to creative events, teaching, art therapy and cultural development are also welcome to be involved.
Input from young creatives, First Peoples, and those who identify as culturally and linguistically diverse, deaf, disabled, neurodivergent or LGBTQIA+ is strongly encouraged.
Share your thoughts before the poll closes on Sunday 31 August via the button below or see the pinned post on RAV Southwest’s Facebook.
Background
What is the South West Creative Industries Strategy?
The SWCIS is a collaborative regional approach to uplifting the creative industries across South West Victoria, led by Regional Arts Victoria with support from state and local governments, traditional owners, industry bodies and community members.
You can learn more about this Strategy, who is involved and see a timeline of milestones at rav.net.au/swcis
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Media Contact: Kate Gerritsen | 0412 950 023 | [email protected]
Image: South West Creative Social event, photograph: Greta Punch
Posted 5 August 2025