Regional Arts Victoria (RAV) has launched a new initiative to support regional local government staff with arts, culture and creative industries portfolios. The Local Government Creative Connections program will fill a gap in providing essential skills, expanded networks, increased knowledge of the sector and professional development opportunities for staff working for regional Councils in Victoria so that those professionals can, in turn, advocate for and support their local creative sector to thrive.
“We know that it can be an isolated role working in arts, culture and creativity within a regional Council”, said RAV’s Director of Partnerships and Programming, Susie Lyons. “Staff are often facing multiple challenges around prioritising workload across several services areas, audience and community engagement and developing and supporting a local arts ecology. This program will give local government staff an opportunity to connect, to learn from shared challenges and successes, and to enhance their skills for the benefit of their local creatives and communities. We are delighted to have our first cohort of Council’s onboard and look forward to connecting with them.”
Thirteen Councils have joined the inaugural Local Government Creative Connections group and will meet for the first time on 7 August 2025 for a professional development session with speaker Leisa Bacon, Executive Director, Development and Partnerships, Creative Australia.
The current Creative Connections 2025 participants are: Ararat Rural City Council, Campaspe Shire Council, City of Ballarat, East Gippsland Shire Council, Gannawarra Shire Council, Loddon Shire Council, Mildura Rural City Council, Moira Shire Council, Moorabool Shire Council, Mount Alexander Shire Council, Murrindindi Shire Council, South Gippsland Shire Council, Towong Shire Council and LaTrobe City Council.
RAV has existing long term strategic partnerships with: Corangamite Shire Council, Glenelg Shire Council, Golden Plains Shire Council, Moyne Shire Council, Southern Grampians Shire Council, Surf Coast Shire Council, Swan Hill Rural City Council, Warrnambool City Council. They also have access to this initiative.
Membership of the Local Government Creative Connection is open to employees from all 79 Victorian Councils.
For more information contact:
Susie Lyons, Director Partnerships and Programming: [email protected]
Image: Creative Social in the Southwest, photograph: Greta Punch