Media Release
Creatives across southwest Victoria are invited to share their experiences, priorities and needs through the 2026 South West Creatives Survey, opening Monday 21 September.
Led by Regional Arts Victoria, the survey is part of the South West Creative Industries Strategy 2025–2029, a collaborative regional strategy designed to support local creative industries and strengthen creativity as a cultural, social and economic driver for the region.
The survey aims to create a meaningful dataset that reflects the breadth of creative activity across the southwest. Results will help demonstrate the value of the creative sector, inform future sector support, and strengthen advocacy for continued investment in regional creativity.
Regional Arts Victoria works in partnership with local councils and regional stakeholders to deliver the Strategy, with a focus on supporting creative practitioners, organisations and communities across the southwest/Great South Coast.
RAV’s Senior Manager, Stacey Barnes, encourages creatives of all kinds to take part.
“This survey is about listening to the people who make, produce, present, support and participate in creative life across the southwest. The more we hear from local creatives, the stronger our evidence base becomes for future planning, partnerships and advocacy.”
The survey is open to creatives living or working in southwest Victoria, including artists, makers, crafters, designers, writers, photographers, videographers, producers, musicians, performers, arts workers, creative organisations, educators, community groups and those connected to creative events, art therapy, cultural development and more.
Input from young creatives, First Peoples, and creatives who identify as culturally and linguistically diverse, deaf, disabled, neurodivergent or LGBTQIA+ is strongly encouraged.
The survey closes on 21 October.
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
END
Media Contact: Kate Gerritsen | 0412 950 023 | [email protected]
Posted 21 September 2026