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First Creative Industries Strategy for the South West Region

30 Nov 2020


Regional Arts Victoria is delighted to launch What It Means: A Creative Industries Strategy for South West Victoria.

In early 2019 Regional Arts Victoria began the process of region-wide consultation for what has become a first of its kind strategy, identifying a series of objectives that will assist in positioning creativity and the creative practitioners of the region as contributors to the region’s storytelling and liveability.

The strategy is supported at a state and local level by Creative Victoria, Aboriginal Victoria, Regional Development Victoria, the five local government organisations of the region, Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism Board, and other key stakeholders. The vision for the strategy links directly to advocacy coming out of the Great South Coast Regional Partnership conversations and carried forward by Regional Arts Victoria’s partnerships with local government and the south west community.

Seven key objectives will be the focus of the four-year plan; First Nations; the South West Story; Data Collection; Testing Grounds; Professional and Enterprise Development; Creative Hubs and Youth Programs.

The first funded project resulting from the Strategy is already underway, the Creative Leaders project matching young artists to industry mentors. The project is funded by VicHealth and will see young people learn how to make their way as an artist after they leave school, and link them to new skills.

The Creative Industries Strategy will lay the groundwork for future partnerships and projects across the region that will grow the region’s creative identity. It is a benchmark document that the community can use to leverage funding and influence and make the case for their vision to have the arts more prominently regarded as useful across many sectors.

“This strategy is testament to the valuable and valued role the creative industries play across the South West – and their important cultural, social and economic impact,” said Minister for Creative Industries Danny Pearson.

“It also demonstrates the willingness and commitment of many partners from across the region to collaborate to ensure that creativity thrives and the whole community gets to share in the benefits.”

Joe Toohey, Executive Director at Regional Arts Victoria, added: “The creative sector in South West Victoria has so much to offer; this much was clear throughout the entire development of What it Means.”

“With this Strategy, we have a plan for action for further supporting creatives, communities and audiences across the South West. I’m excited that the implementation phase can begin, and look forward to working with the region on each of the key objectives.”

View the Creative Industries Strategy full or summary document by clicking the links below.

Download the Full Strategy

Download the Summary Strategy

Audio Version

Image: by Jo Grant - view over Mount Elephant, Derrinallum