A huge boost for our creative industries that will help to further unlock our region’s creative talent.
With Geelong Arts Centre’s transformation into Australia’s largest and most striking regional arts centre under $140M makeover currently underway, the Victorian Government, Geelong Arts Centre and their G21 Creative Industries partners have today announced $460,000 in Victorian Government funding for the delivery of the Creative Industries Strategy for the G21 Region.
Keep up with the latest in regional art and local events via our website.
Funded via Regional Development Australia-Barwon South West, the G21 region’s first Creative Industries Strategy, ‘Making Change’, launched in October 2021 and was developed in a unique collaboration of local arts and member organisations. Financial and in-kind contributions were made from project members Committee for Geelong, G21 Geelong Region Alliance, Geelong Arts Centre, Geelong Gallery, Creative Geelong Inc, Platform Arts, Back to Back Theatre and Geelong Regional Library Corporation.
The strategy was all about helping the region’s creatives flourish, bringing together talent and ideas and establishing spaces to allow creativity of all kinds to take place at the centre of our communities.
Having been part of the leadership team for the development of the plan from inception to project, the Victorian Government has now committed $460,000 funding for Geelong Arts Centre to come on board as an ‘Auspicing Partner’ to support the delivery phase of the strategy.
Geelong Arts Centre will work with the creative sector in the G21 region to deliver priority actions, including a digital directory of regional creative hubs, skills development, creative networking and connecting, as well as a First Nations engagement plan and stakeholder management.
Creating jobs within the region’s creative sector, Geelong Arts Centre’s Creative Engine co-working space will house the project delivery office and employ a ‘Delivering Change’ Strategy manager.
“We’re putting Victorian businesses first, ensuring major projects support local communities and deliver more jobs to regions across the state,” says Minister for Creative Industries, Steve Dimopoulos.
“The Geelong Arts Centre redevelopment is supporting Geelong businesses, showcasing local craftsmanship and creating local jobs, while delivering new major drawcard that will bring thousands more visitors to the region.”
“The creative industries sector is a vital part of our region’s economy. The ‘Making Change’ Strategy provides clear direction for action to ensure we can deliver on our UNESCO Creative City of Design status. This significant funding from the Victorian Government is testament to the local commitment to drive awareness and growth of the creative sector,” adds Committee for Geelong CEO Jennifer Cromarty.
Alongside this funding, the Andrews Labor Government is putting Victorian businesses first and creating a local jobs boon, with another two suppliers joining the stable of local businesses delivering the Geelong Arts Centre redevelopment.
Supplying the $140 million redevelopment with more than 2000 square metres of carpet – the largest manufacturer of carpets in Australasia and iconic Geelong business Godfrey Hirst, has worked in consultation with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners to create unique designs for the centre inspired by First Peoples themes.
Geelong-based company Jacaranda Industries will also supply joinery for Australia’s largest regional cultural infrastructure project, including door frames, mirrors and splashbacks.
The latest packages of work will employ 55 local workers, with the redevelopment project creating more than 600 jobs during construction.
The Geelong Arts Centre Little Malop Street redevelopment will deliver new theatres, more dining options, an atrium plaza, increased accessibility and new back-of-house and administration facilities. The new centre will open in 2023.
