In March 2026, Regional Arts Victoria partnered with Moyne Shire Council and the Fletcher Jones Family Foundations to host Loop Creative Social– a vibrant gathering designed to foster collaboration, build connections, share insights and celebrate creative talent in southwest Victoria.
The event build on the inaugural Creative Social and enabled southwest Victoria’s creatives and changemakers to meet supportive networks, learn from real-life experiences and connect with the collaborators, supporters and resources needed with their own projects.
This time the theme was ‘Collaboration’, with quick-fire talks by industry experts and local artists sharing real-world stories and practical insights on what —and what not—to do when partnering within and across sectors.
The event brought together 94 people from all five southwest local government areas alongside Melbourne, Surf Coast, Geelong and Ballarat in a stunning 1890’s converted stables in Koroit.
Highlights:
- Gunditjmara musician, Andy Alberts (of Andy Alberts and the Walkabouts), delivered a Welcome to Country and performed a live original song
- Local young musicians Jorja Cate, Evie Bell and Matilda Stevens showcased a brand-new song written together at BandCamp
- Moyne Shire Mayor, Jordan Lockett roused audiences to “let their freak flag fly” and activate creatives spaces with creative activity, even suggesting a punk-rock gig in the Council chambers
- Liz Price, GM of Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism, shared tips on how creatives can tap into the tourism industry, develop marketable products and reach new audiences
- Ngarrindjeri artist and educator, Emma Stenhouse shared how to be a good collaborator (don’t be a brickhead!) alongside tips on culturally safe partnerships and how to protect your intellectual property
- Local artist Caroline Healey shared her experiences on collaborating with retailers on locally inspired goods, selling work in diverse spaces, and co-marketing the regional Open Studio Tour
- RAV’s own Stacie Bobele, who led the delivery of the Barwon Otway region’s Making Change Creative Industries Strategy from 2023 to 2025, shared neighbouring examples of collectivising for projects, impact and advocacy
- Local creative Shelley Knoll Miller captured key takeaways in her first ever live graphic recording
- Mortlake’s Nicole Schuler won a bespoke support package valued at $2,000, including one-on-one mentoring and a $1,000 grant thanks to Fletcher Jones Family Foundations, which will help her develop ‘Mortlake Creative Wave’ into a real-life project
- Warrnambool’s Katrina Carey, winner of the inaugural Creative Social mentoring package, shared how a series of invitations and advice sessions changed the trajectory of Kelp Magazine
- A ‘Creative Exchange’ wall acted like a noticeboard connecting what people could offer, with what they were looking for, or calling for collaborators on projects – with some fruitful matches already made!
Outcomes
The event connected 94 people from over 20 sectors in all five southwest local government areas, alongside Melbourne, Surf Coast, Geelong and Ballarat, strengthening the fabric of our creative ecosystem.
Arts and culture workers and volunteers networked with those working in health and social sectors, hospitality, media, business, tourism, regional development and education. People from festivals and events, service clubs, venues, businesses, Councils, theatre and community organisations mingled with musicians, actors, singers, teachers, dancers, crafters, film-makers, architects, photographers and podcasters.
We even had a balloon artist, a tattooist, a cartoonist and a geologist!
- 93% made a new connection
- 98% are now more aware of creatives and orgs in their local area
- 83% grew their professional networks and built new relationships
It enabled the transfer of knowledge and wisdom, inspiring attendees to act on learnings:
- 95% gained new information or knowledge
- 68% resolved to start a new project or collaboration
Attendees stated they would use new connections to seek collaboration, reach out to helpful organisations, and “move forward on ideas that only exist in s sketchbook”. Others said they will “feel more confident” and allow themselves “to be more vulnerable” in exploring their arts practice alongside their arts worker role.
The event provided an opportunity to activate creative spaces and to pay, support and promote local creatives and small businesses:
- $7,276 was reinvested into creatives, speakers, local businesses and service providers
The call for ideas connected 18 creatives with 1:1 mentoring and delivered $1,000 in funding to a great Strategy-aligned initiative; Mortlake Creative Wave.
The event raised awareness of the work being done to support creative industries and who can help, with:
- 93% are more aware of support and resources available
- 93% learnt more about Regional Arts Victoria & how we can help
- 95% learnt more about Moyne Shire’s Arts & Culture Strategy
- 33% hadn’t heard of the South West Creative Industries Strategy before this event
It provided a resource bank with videos, photos, presentation slides, and the graphic recording – see links below.
It connected people to communication channels, with 50 attendees choosing to stay in the loop on southwest events and 26 joining the statewide RAV eNews.
$361 was donated to RAV through the free or ‘Pay What You Feel’ tickets which assisted in RAV’s overall fundraising goal as a non-profit supporting regional creatives.
Feedback
95% rated the event “Excellent” or “Very Good” praising the captivating speakers, graphic recording, great venue and delicious catering, as well as the overall vibe of the night.
“I left feeling inspired, energised, and full of possibility — but more than that, I left with a sense of belonging. Huge shoutout to the incredible humans who made this happen. You have a real superpower for bringing the right people together. Because of you, I connected with new creatives, strengthened existing relationships, and sparked ideas I’m so excited to explore. There’s something really powerful about creative connection close to home. This reminded me how much it matters. Feeling very grateful… and very inspired for what’s ahead” – Jen Monk
“I felt uplifted and like I was in the right room. The creative sector is one that often feels like a lot of work for little pay/opportunity but these nights remind me of why I do what I do.” – Danielle Stearman
See incredible feedback in this infographic or read some of the lovely comments on Facebook.
Stay tuned on future events via RAV Southwest on Facebook!
Posted 21 April 2026
