Ballarat residents have weighed in on the state government's plan to boost Victoria's creative and cultural industries.
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An open workshop at the Ballaarat Mechanics Institute on Monday night, the first of six across Victoria, saw more than 100 local artists voice their ideas on how to best develop Ballarat’s arts and culture industry.
The concept revolves around the state government’s ‘Let’s get creative about Victoria’s future’ discussion paper.
Key themes from the meeting include increased collaboration between various arts disciplines, the development of audience support, cultural tourism development, receiving proportionate support across the state, more consultation with artists and creatives in planning and development and building on opportunities to develop the live music industry within regional Victoria.
City of Ballarat arts and culture manager Daniel Henderson said the forum was well received.
“It highlighted a lot of great opportunities, ideas and messages to send up to the state government,” Mr Henderson said
“Regional artists are of a high calibre and on par with our Melbourne metro colleagues and regional Victoria has a lot to offer in tourism and community.
”In terms of a cultural forum of thoughts, it (the workshop) hasn’t been done in some time.”
Mr Henderson said the development of live music in Ballarat was an important cog in the discussion.
Victoria’s creative industries currently contribute around $22.7 billion to the state’s economy and support over 200,000 jobs.
The creative and cultural economy is growing at almost double the rate of the broader economy, with products and services of the creative industries having demonstrated benefits across a range of social areas, including health and education.
Last year, Victoria’s state owned arts and cultural institutions attracted more than 10 million visitors.
The project was unveiled by Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley earlier this month.
“Victoria’s creative and cultural industries lie at the heart of what makes our state a great place to live and visit, and they make a sizeable – and growing – contribution to our economy,” Mr Foley said.
“This strategy is an opportunity to re-imagine the role the creative and cultural industries play in our lives, our communities and our state – and ensure that all Victorians reap the cultural, social and economic benefits they bring.”
Forums will also be held in Shepparton, Sale, Werribee, Frankston and Melbourne.
