News

Local artists on tour – at home and away

22 Victorian arts companies take their work to new audiences in dozens of regional Victorian towns and 14 countries around the world.

Latest grants strengthen local music industry

The latest round of Music Works grants will provide more than $690,000 in funding to support 60 music projects.

Regional arts venues to strengthen community connections

Six regional arts venues will share in grants worth almost $200,000 for activities that aim to build connections across the community.

Bushfire Centre Consultation

The Victorian Government is seeking views from across the community on the proposal to create a Bushfire Centre.

Queen's Birthday Honours list celebrates creative Victorians

Creative Victorians were well represented in the annual Queen’s Birthday Honours list with dozens of people recognised for their contributions to the creative industries.

Stop, Collaborate and Listen: Creative State Summit 2019, Day One

Victoria’s brightest to shape the State’s creative future

Twenty of Victoria's creative industry leaders have been appointed to a new advisory group to help shape the Victorian Government's strategy and investment

New Melbourne festival a global showcase for local talent

Melbourne’s newest winter festival, launching 2020, will celebrate the State’s thriving arts and culture and food and wine scenes, providing a significant midyear boost t

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. 

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

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

What’s next? Be part of the third Creative State Summit

Innovation in Marketing grants support ten next level marketing projects

The recipients of the 2019 Innovation in Marketing Fund program have been announced.

Victoria’s independent arts sector receives 1.6 million boost

Fifty-seven creative projects, involving more than 1,645 independent artists, will share in $1.6 million in funding via the latest round of the VicArts Grants program.

Artist Applications open for 2019 Melbourne Art Trams

Expressions of interest are now open for Victorian artists with creative ideas to transform trams into public artworks as part of the popular Melbourne Art Trams program.

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

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

ACMI’s Wonderland named ‘Best In Show’

ACMI’s popular 2018 Wonderland exhibition won two prestigious awards at this year’s Museums and the Web GLAMi Awards in Boston, USA.

Clever ideas from creative start-ups receive $200,000 boost

Ready-to-sew apparel kits, curated regional road trips and bespoke theatre experiences are a few of the clever ideas to receive seed funding as part of Foundry658.

The Ashes, Cricket’s icon visits Victoria’s State Library Icon

Victoria is the big winner with the Ashes Urn set to be the centrepiece of State Library Victoria’s largest ever free exhibition opening later this year.

Melbourne Fringe Festival gets a new home

Victoria’s independent arts sector is getting a new hub, and Melbourne Fringe a new home with the announcement that Fringe will take over historic Trades Hall in Carlton.

Students get creative with the state’s best

Students will work with some of the Victoria’s best artists, writers and performers as part of the latest round of the Creative Learning Partnerships program.

World-class training in regional Victoria for local theatre technicians

Arts Centre Melbourne are offering current and aspiring theatre technicians from Horsham and Shepparton free specialist training.

Design team appointed for Melbourne Arts Precinct transformation

Melbourne design practice HASSELL, in partnership with New York’s Solid Objects Idenburg Liu (SO-IL), will lead a team to redesign Melbourne's art precinct.

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. 

Delivering big entertainment to small towns

Regional audiences will be treated to performances chosen by locals for locals as part of the Victorian Government’s Small Regional Presenters program.

Music Works - Quick Response Grants to take local music across the globe

The latest round of Music Works – Quick Response Grants recipients have been announced.

Extraordinary donation lets kids have their say on State Library Victoria’s newest space

More than 75,000 children each year will enjoy their own purpose-built space at State Library Victoria thanks to the generosity of local philanthropists.

2019 industry watch: Digital games

The country’s digital games industry continues to grow with Australia – in particular Victoria – getting a global reputation as a creative hub.

2019 highlights of the stage

From musical blockbusters, diverse theatre, bold contemporary dance and world-class shows at iconic regional venues it’s set to be a massive year in dance and theatre

Melbourne the playable city

Melbourne will be transformed into a giant ‘playable’ city combining live art, augmented reality and games technology.

The Australian Music Vault Turns One

It’s been a great year for The Australian Music Vault with almost 750,000 people visiting the permanent exhibition.

Winners of the 2018 Koorie Art Show awards announced

Congratulations to the winners and entrants of the 2018 Koorie Art Show awards, including artist Janet Bromley who’s won the top prize.

Terracotta Warriors and Cai Guo-Qiang will march into the NGV next year as part of the Melbourne Winter Masterpieces series

The National Gallery of Victoria’s newly announced 2019 Melbourne Winter Masterpieces exhibition offers local audiences a rare glimpse at China’s most beloved treasures.

Shortlist announced: Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards 2019

The Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards shortlist has been announced, with 28 titles spanning fiction, non-fiction, poetry and more.

TV series Wentworth set to return

Foxtel has commissioned another twenty episodes of the award-winning series Wentworth.

Victorian writers win at the PM Literary Awards

Congratulations to Victorian literary talents Gerard Murnane and Glenda Millard who have been recognised at this year’s Prime Minister’s Literary Awards.

Acclaimed novel The Dry to be filmed in regional Victoria

Best-selling novel The Dry will be adapted for the screen and filmed in regional Victoria.

Now open – Wurinbeena Studio Gallery

First Peoples arts and culture will be celebrated on GunaiKurnai Country in East Gippsland with the opening of the new creative space, Wurinbeena Studio Gallery.

Stan and Film Victoria announce a new development fund

Film Victoria and Australian streaming platform Stan are teaming up to provide support to Victorian writers and producers through the new program.

2018 The Age Music Victoria Awards

Last night Victorian music makers, venues, events and icons were recognised at The Age Music Victoria Awards at Melbourne Recital Centre.

Victorian writers celebrated at the 2018 Melbourne Prize

Victorian writers Alison Lester, Maria Tumarkin and Jamie Marina Lau have been recognised at this year’s Melbourne Prize for Literature.

Victoria nails it at the 2018 National Architecture Awards

The Australian Institute of Architects has announced the winners of the 2018 National Architecture Awards, and Victorians have made an impressive mark.

Scienceworks looks to the moon this summer

Scienceworks is over the moon to feature two incredible lunar experiences this summer.

Quick Response grants support global connections for Vic music industry

From South America to the UK – the latest Music Works Quick Response Grants will support international opportunities for Victoria’s music industry.

More than $240,000 announced to boost creativity in the outer suburbs

More than $240,000 has been announced to help local councils in Brimbank, Cardinia, Kingston and Manningham deliver exciting new creative programs for residents.

Latest VicArts Grants recipients

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

Call for creative organisations to host traineeships for young First Peoples

Creative organisations and businesses can now apply to be part of a program that will provide young First Peoples with new pathways into the creative industries.

Introducing the latest crop of Victorian creators

Twenty-four Victorian creative talents are set to take their careers to a new level with support through the Creators Fund program.

Taking the Victorian music industry to the next level

The Victorian Music Development Office (VMDO) has announced it will lead a range of programs and projects to develop and strengthen the Victorian music industry.

Victorian Community History Award winners announced

A book about the history of mental health during the gold rush in Victoria has been awarded top prize at the 2018 Victorian Community History Awards.

Sneak peek at the new Ian Potter Southbank Centre

Journalists and guests were invited for a sneak peek of the Ian Potter Southbank Centre today, a new $109 million home to the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music.

New $2 million initiative set to boost Victoria’s independent producers

Creative Victoria will launch a $2 million, four-year initiative designed to strengthen producing capacity in the independent performing arts sector.

Contemporary and classical music, theatre on its way to regional Victoria

Victorian small halls, community centres, and even a light station will set the stage for a range of music and theatre performances thanks to Small Regional Presenters.

Eight new Melbourne Art Trams ready to roll

Melbourne’s tram network will once again become a mobile art gallery as part of Melbourne International Arts Festival.

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.

Grants announcement – Music Works Major Round

The latest round of Music Works Grants has provided more than $500,000 for local artists, events and music businesses.

New spaces revealed as State Library Victoria’s redevelopment reaches halfway mark

State Library Victoria’s historic Russell Street entrance opened today after being closed for more than a decade.

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.

World-first digital canvas launched in Fed Square

A $5.4 million, Melbourne-designed digital canvas has launched in Federation Square, transforming the cityscape with a collision of architecture and art.

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.

Measuring the economic value of cultural and creative industries

Victoria has taken the lead in preparing a new report on measuring the economic value of creative industries, published by the Meeting of Cultural Ministers (MCM).

2018 Victorian Museum Awards announced

The 2018 Victorian Museum Awards were presented last night by Museums Australia (Victoria), the peak body for 1,000+ museums and collecting organisations.

New program to boost diversity and inclusion in the creative industries

A push to make Victoria’s creative workforce more inclusive and representative of the diversity of the community is behind the new Talent Matters program.

2018 Melbourne Art Trams artists announced

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

Funding announcement: International Engagement program

Thirteen Victorian performing arts companies have been sent packing via our International Engagement program.

Quick Response Grants target Bigsound and beyond

More than $60,000 in Music Works Quick Response Grants will put Victorian artists in front of new audiences, at home and overseas.

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.

Engaging audiences across regional Victoria

The refurbished West Gippsland Arts Centre, the Latrobe Regional Gallery, and Warrnambool Art Gallery are the latest grant Engaging Audiences recipients.

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.

Introducing the latest round of VicArts Grants

Sixty-two artists and creative organisations will receive support through the latest round of VicArts grants.

New funding champions women in screen

The Victorian Government will provide up to $85,000 to build the leadership skills and professional expertise of women working in the film and television industry.

Historic Australian-Chinese co-production to film in Victoria

The state’s largest ever Australian-Chinese official co-production, The Whistleblower, has commenced filming at Docklands Studios Melbourne.

New hub to strengthen Victoria’s dance sector

Today, Lucy Guerin Inc provided a sneak preview of WXYZ Studios, a ground-breaking new hub and co-working space for Victoria’s dance sector.

Touring Victoria to take comedy, opera, circus and more to regional towns and cities

From opera to comedy, the latest round of Touring Victoria grants is bringing an array of creative experiences to regional Victoria

Mentorships, Molly and more to celebrate Victoria’s music heritage

A feminist music festival and a tribute to Molly Meldrum are the among the latest music history projects to be supported through the Rockin’ The Laneways program.

Innovation in Marketing Grants awarded to six Victorian organisations

Six Victorian organisations will share in $100,000 of funding as part of the 2018 Innovation in Marketing Fund.

$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

Grant recipients to take exciting acts to regional Victoria

An exciting range of performances are making their way to small towns across Victoria thanks to the Small Regional Presenters program.

Foundry658 to kickstart creative start ups

Victorian creativity and business nous are set to combine with the announcement of Foundry658, a new Victorian Government business development program.

$570,000 in funding awarded to 50 Victorian music makers

Lior, Ecca Vandal and RVG are among fifty Victorian music makers and shakers to receive grants in the latest round of the Music Works program.

Once in a generation transformation for Melbourne Arts Precinct

New galleries, new public space and a new creative hub are just the start of a once in a generation transformation for Melbourne Arts Precinct in Southbank.

$550,000 in grants to bring Victoria’s latest games to life

Over $550,000 in funding will help bring Victoria’s latest games to life and to screens across the globe.

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.

Second Live Music Census shows Melbourne is the music capital of the world

During last week’s sold out Music Cities Convention, Music Victoria announced the complete findings from the 2017 Melbourne Live Music Census.

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.

ACMI to undergo visionary transformation

Melbourne’s ACMI is set for a visionary multi-million-dollar makeover which will transform it into one of the world’s most innovative museums.

Taking a stand against harassment in the creative industries

Sexual harassment and bullying have no place in our creative state and we all have a role to play in ensuring a healthy, respectful and safe environment for all.

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.

More than $120k set to boost audience engagement at four regional galleries

Galleries in Swan Hill, Bendigo, Geelong and Benalla will share more than $120,000 in funding through the latest round of the Engaging Audiences program.

GPAC welcomes new leadership

Cultural leader and experienced company director, Lesley Alway has been appointed to the role of Chair of the Geelong Performing Arts Centre Trust.

Live music industry bands together against sexual harassment

Some of Victoria’s best-known venues are working with the Victorian Government to stop sexual harassment and assault in live music venues.

Announcing the Creative State Commissions Shortlist

Seven ambitious creative ideas have been shortlisted in the first round of the Creative State Commissions program.

New contemporary art gallery opens in Melbourne's Arts Precinct

One of the country's most significant collections of contemporary Australian art has a new home in Melbourne's Arts Precinct in Southbank.

Protecting and revitalising the Melbourne Arts Precinct

The Victorian Government announced visionary new planning laws today designed to protect and enhance the Melbourne Arts Precinct in Southbank.

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.

Theatre, dance and music coming to a small town near you

Communities in some of Victoria’s most remote towns can expect a range of music, dance and theatre performances in 2018.

Latest round of Music Works Quick Response Grants

Seven Victorian music acts will take up opportunities overseas thanks to the latest round of Music Works Quick Response Grants.

New museum and education centre to focus on bushfires 

In the lead up to the 10th anniversary of the devastating 2009 Victorian Bushfires, the Victorian Government has announced that it will create a new bushfire museum.

Revolutionise your business with design-led thinking

Victorian small to medium enterprises and not-for-profits are invited to take part in a groundbreaking program to revolutionise their business with design-led thinking.

Creative Victorians honoured on national stage

Congratulations to the creative Victorians who received Australia Day Honours.

Vale Meme McDonald

Meme McDonald, one of Victoria’s most admired and versatile artists, died peacefully two days before Christmas last year at Springhill in the Macedon Ranges.

Grants help creative organisations to expand their marketing reach

Applications for latest round of the Innovation in Marketing Fund will open this week, helping Victorian artists and creative organisations to build their businesses.

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.

$1.5 million in grants to bring Victorian creative projects to life

Victorian artists working in theatre, dance, visual arts, literature and more will bring their creative projects to life thanks to the latest round of VicArts grants.

$780,000 in touring grants to get Victorian shows on the road

The latest round of Victorian Government touring grants is bringing a diversity of creative experiences to regional Victoria.

Introducing the inaugural Victorian Creators

Twenty-one creative individuals and groups have been named the state’s ‘Creators’ for 2018, as the first recipients of funding through the ground-breaking Creators Fund.

Shortlist announced for 2018 Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards

Twenty-one Australian writers, poets and playwrights have been shortlisted for the 2018 Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards.

Grants provide a mixtape of music opportunities

Victorian music is set to ring out on the stage, on screen and in studios across the globe thanks to the latest round of grants through the Music Works program.

Local creativity at the heart of Victoria’s first Regional Centre for Culture

A first look at the plans for Victoria’s first Regional Centre for Culture reveals an unprecedented showcase of local creativity.

More than $65,000 will bring big arts experiences to regional communities

Regional restaurants, theatres, golf clubs, historic houses and community halls are set to become arts venues.

Geelong named a UNESCO City of Design

Geelong’s design credentials have been internationally recognised with the news that the city has been designated as a UNESCO City of Design.

Marketing innovation grants help creative organisations get down to business

A group of Victorian artists and creative organisations has received support to build their businesses, thanks to the latest round of Marketing Innovation Fund grants.

Game-changing project to combat homophobia

The Victorian Government is embarking on a creative new approach to reduce homophobia in the community by employing the techniques and technologies of digital games.

Twelve Victorian music venues to become good neighbours

Twelve of our state’s popular music venues are getting ready to pump up the volume with floor-to-ceiling acoustic overhauls.

Annual reports reveal a bumper year for creative industries agencies

It has been a record breaking year for the creative industries in Victoria.

New initiative to shine a light on First Nations art

A major biennial exhibition, new arts fellowships and support for curatorial positions are at the heart of a ground-breaking six-year First Nations arts program.

Funding announcement: Engaging Audiences

The latest round of our Engaging Audiences program has provided $90,000 to five regional arts venues.

Eight artists to catch a ride on the 2017 Melbourne Art Trams

The much beloved Melbourne Arts Trams project returns soon, with eight new artworks to grace trams around Melbourne from October onwards.

The buzz at Day 2 of the Creative State Summit

Over 100 speakers have addressed around 350+ members of Victoria’s creative industries on all matters of the arts and creativity

That’s a wrap – Day 1 of the Creative State Summit

The summit may have sold out but that’s not the only place where ideas were shared – the enthusiasm was bubbling online with #CreativeState trending on Twitter.

Building our Creative State – One year on

The first year of Victoria’s Creative State strategy has created new opportunities across the state.

New Report Shows Melbourne as Top Cultural Destination

Melbourne's reputation as Australia's cultural capital has been reinforced with a new report ranking the city the top cultural destination in the country.

Grant Announcement: $1 Million Investment in Regional Touring and Arts Activity

Art lovers in regional Victoria have a million reasons to celebrate with the latest round of grants providing support for a range of regional tours and programs

Grant announcement: Music Works rounds hit the high notes

From Norway to Wangaratta, the latest round of Music Works grants packs a punch with exciting local and international opportunities for the music industry, at every level

More than $1 million set to fuel Victoria’s independent arts sector

The latest round of Victorian Government arts grants will invest more than $1 million into the independent arts sector, creating more than 1200 career opportunities.

$200,000 to fund creative mentoring for students in the regions

Students and teachers in Victoria’s regions are preparing to get creative, in real life and online, thanks to funding via Virtual Creative Professionals in Schools.

Parliamentary Act signals new era for creativity in Victoria

The Creative Victoria Act 2017 was passed in the Victorian Parliament yesterday, signalling a new era for the creative industries in our state.

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: Quick Response grant recipients headed to SXSW

Nine Victorian artists will share in more than $50,000 in the latest round of Quick Response funding

Arts Access Victoria launches three major resources for arts and disability

Arts Access has launched three major capacity building resources for the arts, disability and mental health sectors under the banner Art Matters.

2017 Asialink Arts Residencies announced

A range of exciting projects by Victorian artists are among the 33 to be supported through the 2017 Asialink Arts Residency program.

Vale Trevor ‘Turbo’ Brown

Creative Victoria would like to acknowledge the passing of Trevor ‘Turbo’ Brown, a Latje Latje man from Mildura and a highly respected artist.

Grant announcement - VicArts Grants

$1.8 million will help bring diverse new creative projects to life and provide job and career development opportunities to more than 2,700 Victorian artists.

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.

Australian architects can now practice in the US thanks to landmark agreement

Architecture registration authorities in the US and Australia have reached a landmark agreement for cross-border licensing of architects.

Grants to keep music venues loud and proud

Twenty-six Victorian music venues are preparing to turn up the volume - without disturbing their neighbours - thanks to grants totalling $279,897.

All the winners of the 2019 Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards

A book written mostly via What’s App messages covertly sent across five years, is the major prize winner at the 2019 Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards.