News

19 January 2022 - Coronavirus (COVID-19) update

The latest information on coronavirus (COVID-19).

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.

Local video game industry reaches new heights

The Australian video game development industry doubled its revenue to $226 million since 2016, according to results from the 2021 Australian Game Development Survey.

Investing in the workers who power our creative state

Victoria’s vibrant creative industry is being reignited with the Sustaining Creative Workers initiative.

Victorian Premier’s Design Awards Finalists Announced

The finalists for the 2021 Victorian Premier’s Design Awards have been announced

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.

Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards Shortlist Announced

Victoria’s most exceptional writers have been showcased with the announcement of 26 works shortlisted for the 2022 Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards.

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

Huge weekend of live music for regional Victoria

Regional music fans will celebrate the return of live music with a huge weekend of outdoor concerts, as gigs return safely to the state.

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.

Pilot program to improve access for Deaf and Disabled artists

New grants pilot to improve access for creative careers.

Getting the arts sector back on tour with grants

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

New investment programs to back creative businesses

The Victorian Government is backing the businesses, large and small, that fuel our $31.6 billion creative economy with the launch of new investment 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.

Winners announced - Victorian Premier's Design Awards

The best in Victorian design has been honoured at the Victorian Premier’s Design Awards.

New studio and sound stage sketch out screen growth

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

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.

More shows to hit the road across Victoria

Victorians will have the opportunity to experience the best of art and culture in their hometowns with touring opportunities in regional and outer metropolitan areas.

Vale Michael Gudinski AM

Creative Victoria pays tribute to a titan of Victorian music.

Unlocking the capacity of Victorian independent producers and independent artists

Four of Victoria's independent performing arts producers and production houses will receive grants to help them support a range of independent artists.

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.

Australia Day Honours feature Creative Victorians

Victorians from across all sectors of the creative industries were recognised in this year’s Australia Day Honours list.

Expanding COVID Safe audiences

The new Building Audiences Fund supports Victoria's independent creatives.

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

Games growth set to bring opportunities to Melbourne

Victoria’s digital games industry is drawing attention from across the globe during Melbourne International Games Week.

$7.85 million in grants to showcase the art of adaption

78 arts and cultural organisations will share in $7.85 million in grants through the Strategic Investment Fund – Stage Two.

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.

Putting local jobs first in next stage of Geelong Arts Centre’s transformation

Geelong tradespeople and businesses are set to benefit when works begin on Geelong Arts Centre’s Little Malop Street redevelopment.

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.

Creatives work towards recovery

Victorian musicians, fashion labels, game developers, galleries, filmmakers and writers are among the first wave of creatives to receive support.

Creative recovery for bushfire-affected regions

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

Thinking Big Creates New Art Drawcards Across Victoria

Large-scale art featuring silos, app trails and open-air galleries will be created as part of a program that will connect communities and boost cultural tourism.

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

New role to help support Victoria's hard-hit music industry

The newly created Music Industry Liaison role will help advise the Victorian Government on measures to support the state’s music economy and culture

Safeguarding Victoria’s iconic cultural experiences

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

Music works - Latest grants let the music play on

Victorian musicians and music organisations will continue their work behind the scenes with support through the latest round of funding through the Music Works program.

Grant Announcement: Innovation in Marketing

Seven Victorian creative businesses have received support for innovative business development projects

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.

Victorian musicians supported to play the world

Meet the twelve recipients of the latest round of the Music Works Quick Response program

Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards – winners announced

An epic play set in Australia and Sri Lanka has won Australia’s richest literary prize at the 2020 Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards.

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. 

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.

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. 

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.

Funding announcement: International Engagement program

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

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.

$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

$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.

$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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Building our Creative State – One year on

The first year of Victoria’s Creative State strategy has created new opportunities across the 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 - Rockin' the Laneways

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

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.

International Engagement grant recipients announced

From circus in Cambodia to contemporary dance in Brazil to theatre in China, Victorian creativity will connect with the world in the next year with support from Creative Victoria.