From mentoring Indigenous fashion designers to get their work to the runway, to supporting Australia’s biggest outdoor gallery to taking Victorian talent to the world – the first year of the Andrews Labor Government’s Creative State strategy has generated jobs and opportunities across Victoria.
Creative State is Victoria’s first creative industries strategy and was launched last year. It is helping build successful creative careers and businesses, and extending creative experiences to all Victorians.
The Labor Government has invested $115 million through the strategy to grow the state’s $23 billion creative economy.
Creative State is supporting 40 specific actions over four years including:
- $2 million for individual artists and creative professionals across a range of programs – a 70 per cent increase from 2014/15.
- Support for 84 film, television and digital games projects, which are expected to create more than 7,500 job opportunities and generate a record $215 million for Victoria's economy.
- $113 million over the next four years for 90 Victorian small to medium arts and cultural organisations, that collectively employ around 2,300 people and reach an audience of over 6 million.
- Labor Government-led digital games trade missions to the US in 2016 and 2017, which resulted in expected new business for local companies totalling over $18.6 million.
Significant events on the horizon for 2018 include staging Victoria’s first year-long Regional Centre for Culture in Bendigo and the surrounding region, and a major showcase of Victorian design with Melbourne selected as partner city for Hong Kong Business of Design Week – the Asia Pacific’s most important design industry event.
The progress of Creative State is reported in a new website that outlines the status on the 40 Creative State actions. The report details new programs that have been created, activities supported to date, and initiatives in development.
The full Creative State progress report is available at
Quotes attributable to Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley
“We’re investing $115million over four years through the Creative State strategy – the largest and most comprehensive investment by any government in the creativity of Victorians.”
“This investment is creating jobs and opportunities for creative professionals and audiences across our state.”
“We are proudly working with our creative community to roll out the strategy and ensure it delivers economic, social and cultural dividends that will benefit all Victorians.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020