News

Vale Judith Durham AO

Beloved Australian singer-songwriter Judith Durham, former lead singer of The Seekers, has died at the age of 79.

Arts Centre Melbourne to welcome new CEO

Karen Quinlan AM announced as Chief Executive Officer at Arts Centre Melbourne.

Artists for Metro Tunnel’s Artworks announced

Five world-class artists have been selected to create large-scale permanent artworks for each of the Metro Tunnel’s new underground stations.

40 years of creative learning in schools

This program has seen more than 1500 creatives work at 1200 schools, inspiring more than 70,000 students.

Return of Fringe Parade leads creative boost for CBD

Melbourne’s Fringe Festival will celebrate its 40th anniversary in October with a massive block party and parade.

Vale Archie Roach

We’re deeply saddened by the passing of the legendary Archie Roach AM, aged 66.

Planning kicks off to revitalise Old Kyneton Primary School site

Site’s strategic masterplan now available for the community to have their say.

Breaking ground on the iconic Melbourne Arts Precinct

Work has officially started on what is set to become Australia's largest arts and culture infrastructure project to transform the Melbourne Arts Precinct.

Supporting a strong return for Victoria’s music festivals

Victoria’s world renowned calendar of music festivals and events will get an $8 million boost.

New exhibition delves deep into the natural world

Melbourne Museum has unveiled another cutting-edge exhibition

New funding program for Victorian creatives

The Victorian Government is continuing to invest in the people and ideas at the heart of the state’s creative industries, with a new fund for creative projects.

New Melbourne Festival Celebrates Art And Disability

A bold new arts festival is recognising the contribution Deaf and Disabled creatives make to the cultural fabric of Victoria.

Visitors Can’t Help Falling In Love With Elvis Exhibition

Victoria’s latest regional cultural drawcard has smashed attendance records to become the most successful exhibition ever at Bendigo Art Gallery.

Get cracking creatives, entries for the Victorian Premier's Design Awards close soon

Anti-Scalping Campaign launches as winter events heat up 

A new education campaign addresses the laws around ticket scalping.

Small creative organisations to get mighty boost

Micro creative organisations and collectives from across the state can apply for game-changing funding through the latest round of the Creative Ventures Program.

$4 million investment to upgrade regional galleries and museums

New $4 million funding boost under the Regional Collections Access Program (RCAP).

Fund powers up VIC Creatives

The largest ever round of the Victorian Government’s ground-breaking Creators Fund is backing the people who power Victoria’s creative industries.

Backing screenwriters to take Victorian stories to the world

Victoria’s screen industry receives another boost, with screenwriter accelerator program Impact Australia returning to Melbourne.

Grants to bring best performances to regional Victoria

Latest round of the Victorian Government’s Touring Victoria program now open for applications.

Rock on: new support for beloved community cup

Melbourne’s iconic Reclink Community Cup will continue to showcase the best of Victoria’s live music scene.

Victorian Artists Bringing Creativity To Classrooms

Applications open for the Creative Learning Partnerships program.

Leaders from across Victoria’s creative industries recognised in the 2022 Queen’s Birthday Honours

Beloved Melbourne music duo Vika and Linda Bull, radio favourites the Coodabeen Champions are among those to receive honours

Entries open for 2022 Victorian Premier’s Design Awards

The state’s annual recognition of design excellence now open for entries.

Rocking the suburbs with new music events

Latest phase of the On The Road Again live music program will deliver a new run of more than 100 live gigs to punters across Melbourne’s suburbs.

Grants open for Victorian music industry professionals

Open: new round of grants to develop local talent and bring them to audiences across Victoria and the world.

New funding to help creatives build new audiences

The latest round will support independent creatives and small organisations to undertake dynamic marketing projects to grow their audiences.

Fashion's future is regenerative agriculture

Rising Transforms Melbourne With Art, Music And Light

Winter has arrived in Melbourne and with it Victoria's newest major event, RISING - 12 days and nights of art, performance, food, and unique creative experiences.

ORDER esports; mastering the anti-fashion arts of merch

Rare artworks to return home to Wurundjeri Country

Rare artworks by Wurundjeri artist and leader William Barak are set to be returned home to their rightful owners.

Striking artworks by First Nations artists for Geelong Arts Centre

Creative work by First People's artists will be a highlight of the Geelong Arts Centre Little Malop Street redevelopment.

Iconic First Peoples Art Hits The Tracks For RISING

Melbourne’s iconic trams have once again been transformed into travelling canvases for First Peoples artists, providing inspiring and accessible art for all Victorians.

Creative Victoria’s First Peoples Direction Circle – coming to venue near you

First Peoples artists and creative organisations across Victoria are invited to join Creative Victoria’s First Peoples Directions Circle.

Alexander McQueen’s runway masterpieces bound for NGV

New blockbuster exhibition at the NGV to attract thousands of visitors next summer

New investment to get music venues back on track

Victoria’s world-famous live music venues have received a boost from the Victorian Government to get artists back on their stages and help live music make a strong return

Largest regional arts centre reaches new heights

The Victorian Government is getting on with delivering Australia’s largest regional arts centre.

Glass Act takes centre stage in Geelong

As work continues to transform Geelong Arts Centre into Australia’s largest regional arts centre, the project is continuing to support regional jobs growth

Artists, musicians, performers take up residency in schools

Expert theatre makers, musicians, performers, animators and artists will make their way to schools across Victoria, providing diverse and inspiring learning experiences.

Victorian Budget 2022/23 delivers $245.8m for creative industries

The Victorian Government is backing the state’s multi‑billion‑dollar creative economy, supporting arts and cultural destinations big and small.

Malthouse upgrade to boost outdoor shows 

Melbourne’s iconic Malthouse Theatre will be upgraded, enlivening the Southbank arts precinct and providing Victorians access to a wider range of outdoor performances.

Backing Victorian Performing Arts Producers

Independent performing arts producers will receive support to build their careers and practices with flow-on benefits for artists and the Victorian performing arts sector

NGV Contemporary to receive $100 million donation

The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) will accept an extraordinary $100 million donation courtesy of Lindsay Fox AC and Paula Fox AO.

Victoria to be home to new blockbuster series Metropolis

Victoria has secured its biggest ever screen production with the epic new TV series Metropolis, based on the Fritz Lang classic.

Super Sound Stage open for business

The new Sound Stage 6 at Docklands Studios is now open – cementing Victoria’s reputation as a global destination for major screen production.

Victorian Premier's Design Awards winners announced

Victoria’s most compelling designs have been revealed at the 25th Victorian Premier’s Design Awards.

Striking design revealed for new global arts destination

Designs have been revealed for NGV Contemporary – Australia’s biggest contemporary art and design gallery.

New late-night creative event for Melbourne

Melbourne reveals a new major event, strengthening the city's reputation as Australia's creative and late-night capital. 

Melbourne International Games Week 2022

After two years of engaging online audiences across the globe, Melbourne International Games Week will return to Melbourne from 1-9 October 2022.

Creative leader to spearhead Arts Precinct transformation

The CEO of the Melbourne Arts Precinct has been appointed.

Introducing Creative Victoria’s new CEO

Public sector leader Claire Febey has been appointed Creative Victoria’s new Chief Executive.

Creative Victoria farewells Andrew Abbott

Creative Victoria Chief Executive Andrew Abbott has announced his departure from the organisation after eight and a half years at the helm.

Australia's biggest film prize

Victoria’s screen industry is booming with the introduction of Australia’s largest film festival prize at the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF).

More funding for musicians and venues as performers hit city streets

Victoria’s music industry will receive a hearty boost with local musicians, bands and music businesses to benefit from the latest round of the Music Works funding program

Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards Winners Announced

Emerging and established writers were well-represented with the presentation of the Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards, which recognise great Australian authors.

Australia Day Honours recognise creative contributions

Victorians from an array of creative fields have been recognised in this year’s Australia Day Honours List.

Multi-year support backs Victoria’s creative future

Landmark multi-year funding for scores of organisations across Victoria will drive the recovery of the state’s creative industries.

Prehistoric amphibian our new State Fossil Emblem

A prehistoric monster amphibian that looked like a crocodile and was the size of a car is the official emblem of Victoria.

Grant recipients for Regional Victoria shows announced

Announcing the grant recipients for the latest rounds of the Touring Victoria and Small Regional Presenters programs.

New creative hub to grow Victorian music industry

Victorian musicians, music businesses and organisations will have a new home to generate and showcase talent, thanks to the newly built Music Market, in Collingwood.

Live music returns to Victoria

Live music is roaring back to regional Victoria and outer-metropolitan Melbourne, with a jam packed calendar of more than 300 events for Victorian music fans.

Live music returns to Victoria

Live music returns to regional Victoria and outer-metropolitan Melbourne, with a jam packed calendar of more than 300 events for Victorian music fans across the state.

Building Australia’s Biggest Regional Arts Centre

The new Geelong Arts Centre will become the country’s biggest regional arts centre.

Creative Victoria First Peoples Creative Industries Forum

First Peoples arts and creative industry leaders will come together in November for the inaugural Creative Victoria First Peoples Creative Industries Forum.

Transforming Melbourne's creative heart

Arts Centre Melbourne's State Theatre will undergo its most significant refurbishment since it was built.

Victoria introduces Australia’s first government-backed COVID-19 Event Insurance

The Victorian Government has announced an Australian-first COVID-19 Event Insurance product to give Victoria’s events industry the confidence to plan events.

$20m funding and insurance scheme to boost Victoria’s live music industry

New industry support and insurance measures have been announced to deliver a boost to music and other events across Victoria.

Fund to support new creative tourist attractions

The latest round of the Creative Activation Fund offers grants of between $40,000 and $300,000 to develop new artistic attractions across Victoria.

Grants open for Victoria’s music industry

Grants to recharge Victoria’s famed live music scene

Creative leader and theatre director Sam Strong to join Creative Victoria

One of Australia’s most successful creative leaders, Sam Strong, will be joining the Creative Victoria team as Executive Director - Creative Industries. 

Grants for creative workers now open

This initiative is now open for applications, providing critical support to Victoria’s independent creative sector.

New targeted support for creative workers and organisations

Victorian creative workers and organisations will have access to new financial support to help them through the challenges of the pandemic.

2021 Creators Fund supports career-boosting activities

Victorian writers, choreographers, filmmakers, fashion designers, game developers and more are building their skills and their careers through the Creators Fund.

Keeping creatives working behind the scenes

Creative Victoria's latest round of grants totalling $3.16 million is supporting our creative sector to keep working behind the scenes.

New home for groundbreaking creative space

One of Melbourne’s most unique arts spaces is relocating and expanding as part of the recovery and revitalisation of the city, providing a boost for local creatives.

Getting the arts sector back on tour with grants

Applications are now open for the Touring Victoria and Small Regional Presenters programs.

First Nations artwork to bring Geelong Arts Centre to life

Geelong Arts Centre’s ambitious redevelopment continues to take shape, with plans to integrate public artwork by First Nations artists into the $140 million redevelopment

New $288m strategy to build and grow our creative state

Minister for Creative Industries Danny Pearson has launched Victoria’s new four-year creative industries strategy –Creative State 2025.

Next steps for old Kyneton Primary School

The transformation of the Old Kyneton Primary School into a vibrant and creative community hub continues.

Leading creative Victorians recognised in 2021 Queen's Birthday honours

David McAllister has been awarded the highest accolade in the Australian honours system– the Companion of Australia (AC) – along with only five other Australians.

A broader vision for Federation Square

Federation Square will be revitalised and better connected with the Melbourne Arts Precinct as part of new governance arrangements announced by the Victorian Government.

First Peoples designed art trams hit the tracks

Budget delivers $288 million boost to the creative state

Victoria’s multi-billion-dollar creative economy will be reinvigorated thanks to an unprecedented $288 million investment in the Victorian Budget 2021/22.

Introducing VICSCREEN - Victoria's Screen Industry Strategy 2021-2025

A record $120.7 million for an ambitious strategy to supercharge Victoria’s $2.2 billion screen industry.

Victoria takes centre stage in international drama series La Brea

Victoria’s screen industry is back in action with filming commencing on the drama series La Brea, the biggest television series to come to the state in more than a decade

Artists and students unite to boost creativity at school

From podcasts to street art, Victorian students will learn new skills by co-designing projects with professional artists and creatives.

Doors open at Melbourne's newest creative hub

After sitting dormant for 15 years, the former Collingwood Technical School site on Johnston Street Collingwood is preparing to throw open its doors.

New studio and sound stage sketch out screen growth

A new, globally focused animation studio will call Melbourne home.

Vale Michael Gudinski AM

Creative Victoria pays tribute to a titan of Victorian music.

New partnership boosts funding for Vic creators

Creative Victoria’s Creators Fund has opened for applications, offering support to independent Victorian creatives and collectives from all creative disciplines.

Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards – Winners Announced

The debut novel by Victorian writer Laura Jean McKay has taken out Australia’s richest literary prize at the 2021 Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards.

Latest grants to protect Vic music and grants

Victoria’s prized music industry will receive a mighty boost with announcement of almost of $8 million in grants and more support.

Victorian base for global digital games developer

A global games studio has chosen Melbourne for its Australian base.

Drawcard creative tourism projects for regional Victoria

Two major new creative drawcard projects are set to be developed in regional Victoria, celebrating local stories and culture and providing new attractions for tourists.

Creating jobs to support regional galleries

The Working for Victoria initiative will create jobs in regional Victoria and protect gallery and museum collections.

Victorian Budget 2020-21

Victoria’s reputation as the nation’s cultural capital will be permanently cemented, thanks to a massive new investment in the Victorian Budget 2020-21.

$33.8 million to keep screen jobs and projects rolling

The local screen industry receives funding to support thousands of local jobs.

Taking the best in creativity to the great outdoors

Victorians can expect an impressive season of art, music and entertainment this summer and beyond to reactivate our statewide creative industries.

Meet the Minister: A Q&A with Minister for Creative Industries Danny Pearson

Meet Victoria's new Minister for the Creative Industries

Supporting our music industry to rebuild and recover

Urgent funding for live music venues, new grants to protect music jobs on stage and behind the scenes and an historic planning amendment to protect venues.

Building a stronger, more inclusive creative state

Ten of Victoria’s celebrated creative organisations are embarking on a journey to become more inclusive in a move to build a fairer creative sector for Victorians.

New era dawns at Federation Square

Melbourne’s Federation Square is set to enter a new era with a renewed focus on civic and cultural experiences and the biggest upgrade since its creation.

Research finds high online engagement for Victorian arts audiences

A new report points to a positive long-term outlook for the re-engagement of arts audiences across the state.

$800,000 to secure Collingwood creative hubs

The future of two major creative hubs in Collingwood has been secured with $800,000 of funding provided.

Keeping our music playing now and into the future

Victoria's hard-hit music sector will be supported by $857,000 in grants for Victorian musicians, music businesses and virtual and live events.

Supporting creatives to work, build capacity and adapt

Hundreds of Victorian creatives have received a lifeline through the second tranche of the Victorian Government’s Sustaining Creative Workers grant.

$15 million to save Victoria's live music venues

Victoria’s live music venues have been given a lifeline with a new $15 million program to help them survive the coronavirus shutdown and return to business.

Creative recovery for bushfire-affected regions

Victorian communities affected by the summer bushfires will be given a boost through Creative Recovery grants.

New stage for independent performing arts producers

The first round of producers to take part in the Victorian Independent Producers Initiative have been announced.

Creatives rising to the top through new festival

Melbourne’s much-anticipated new winter festival is helping local artists rise to the challenge of our times with a $2 million commissioning program to boost creative job

Safeguarding Victoria’s iconic cultural experiences

Further funding of $32.3 million was announced for the state's creative and cultural sector.

VicArts Grants - $1.17M to support artists to get creative in isolation

The Victorian Government continues to invest in Victoria’s artists, enabling them to work and develop new creative projects.

Supporting our Creative State through coronavirus - $16.8 million package announced

A $16.8 million Victorian Government funding package will provide immediate support to Victorian creative organisations and individuals.

State Library Victoria begins new chapter

State Library Victoria now boasts forty per cent more space for the public to explore with the completion of its spectacular Vision 2020 renewal project.

Geelong Arts Centre’s landmark Ryrie Street building opens to the public

The doors have opened on a new era of creativity at Geelong Arts Centre with the unveiling of its new Ryrie Street building.

Voice of First Peoples to shape Victoria’s creative future

Join this new group which will embed Aboriginal self-determination and community voice throughout Victoria’s next creative industries strategy.

Studio Expansion to supercharge Victoria’s screen industry

A ‘super’ sound stage – one of the largest in the Southern Hemisphere – will be built at Docklands Studio, and a major Hollywood production company moves in.

Budget delivers $225.5m investment in local creativity

Creative ideas, skills development, major exhibitions and events and regional creative growth are the key themes for the creative industries in the 2019-20 Victorian Budg

Victorian Budget Creative Industries Portfolio – New Asset Funding Initiatives, 2019-20

Victorian Budget Creative Industries Portfolio – New Output Funding Initiatives 2019-20

The Victorian State Budget will support multiple programs across the creative industry sector for 2019-2020. 

Instagram, a BBQ and a long-lost Keith Haring artwork

It's not every day that priceless artworks arrive on your doorstep.

Bangarra Dance Theatre’s new residency in Bendigo

Bangarra Dance Theatre has a new home away from home in Bendigo thanks to a new four-year residency program supported by the Victorian Government. 

Latest VicArts Grants recipients

Sixty-five diverse arts projects have been supported through the latest round of the VicArts Grants program. 

Evaluation exchange projects announced

Melbourne Recital Centre, ILBIJERRI Theatre Company and the Islamic Museum of Australia are set to explore evaluation with support through Evaluation Exchange.

Annual reports 2017-18: Record 13.2 million visits to Victoria’s state-owned cultural institutions

A record 13.2 million people visited Victoria’s state-owned cultural institutions in the 2017-18 financial year.

Indigenous design charter takes out top Victorian design award

A groundbreaking international Indigenous design has taken out the top prize in the 2018 Victorian Premier’s Design Awards.

Latest grants to support soundproofing projects at Victorian venues

From Axedale to Elwood, twenty-one Victorian music venues have received support for soundproofing projects through the Good Music Neighbours program.

$2.15m for First Peoples in Victoria’s creative industries

A $2.15 million action plan has been launched by the Victorian Government to boost employment opportunities and pathways for First Peoples.

2018 Melbourne Art Trams artists announced

Seven new artist commissions were today announced for the 2018 iteration of Melbourne Art Trams.

New creative partnerships turn learning into an artform

Schools across the state are partnering with artists, writers, actors, musicians and museums via the new Creative Learning Partnerships program.

Creative State Commissions – Round two shortlist revealed

A diverse selection of trailblazing creative ideas has been shortlisted for the second round of the Creative State Commissions program.

Commission gets to the heart of Creative State

A ground-breaking First Nations theatre project that will bring to life the stories of generations of Victorian Koorie women.

$2.6m to support life changing creative projects

The new Future Makers for Change program will see artists and creatives across the state join forces with community organisations to help tackle big challenges

State Budget delivers for Victoria’s creative industries

The 2018-19 State Budget has delivered another great result for Victoria's creative and cultural sector, with new initiatives totalling $78.7 million over four years.

Film Victoria sets tone for industry with updated Code of Conduct

Film Victoria has updated the Victorian Screen Industry Code of Conduct and funding terms and conditions in an active commitment to eliminate harassment.

Latest grants a sound investment in Victorian live music venues

Victorian Government is backing local live music with more than $100,000 in funding to support a range of venues to undertake acoustic assessments to manage noise levels.

National rollout for Victorian arts and disability portal

Developed by Arts Access Victoria with support from Creative Victoria, the ARTfinder portal is set to roll out nationwide.

Art trumps sport in the latest figures from Live Performance Australia

The latest report by Live Performance Australia (LPA) shows greater participation in the arts than AFL, NRL, soccer, super rugby, cricket and NBL combined.

2017-18 Budget delivers $106.6M to bolster our creative state

The 2017-18 Victorian Budget includes $106.6 million in new funding for the creative industries.

2017-18 State Budget provides boost to Victoria's screen culture

The 2017-18 Victorian Budget will provide $15.7 million to support the state's screen offering.

Grant announcement - Rockin' the Laneways

Five music history projects have been supported through the first round of the Victorian Government's Rockin' The Laneways program.