Arts

The Coalition Government believes that the arts play a critical role in Victoria – culturally, socially and economically. The arts help to invigorate our vibrant culture, make our communities stronger, celebrate our diversity and enhance our competitive advantage, nationally and internationally.

With a thriving independent arts community, internationally acclaimed arts organisations and institutions, a busy calendar of festivals and events, rich cultural collections and well-established cultural infrastructure across the State, Victoria has a well-earned reputation as Australia’s cultural heartland.

The Baillieu Government aims to make Victoria the place of choice for artists to work and develop their careers, starting with a commitment to the Victorian College of Arts, ensuring its role as a premier arts training institution.

While Melbourne is widely considered Australia’s cultural capital, beyond the city limits regional Victoria is also rich with cultural opportunity. The Coalition Government will support and grow arts activity across regional Victoria, whether it’s through strengthening arts and cultural precincts in major regional centres like Geelong and Bendigo, transforming small towns through public art and sculpture, preserving living museums, or increasing regional touring activity.

We are committed to building on Victoria’s arts heritage, providing opportunities for our artists to thrive and for Victorian communities across the State to benefit from and enjoy greater engagement in the arts in all their forms.

Achievements and policies implemented in the first year of Coalition Government

• Delivered a $73 million boost to the arts to deliver our commitment to nurturing creative talent, making the arts more visible and accessible across the state and building on the strength and diversity of our arts sector
• Provided $24 million over four years to secure the future of the Victorian College of the Arts, $4 million in regional arts initiatives and a new $1 million sculpture initiative
• Boosted Victoria's arts companies with $7.6 million to secure the financial sustainability of the State Library and Melbourne Recital Centre, an additional $1 million a year for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, an additional $120,000 a year for Multicultural Arts Victoria and $480,000 over two years to help establish Music Victoria
• Provided funding and ensured core status for programs including $11.3 million to secure support for the small to medium arts sector and arts partnerships in the education and community sectors, $1.6 million to support the Local History Grants program and Victorian Community History Awards and $1 million for the City of Literature initiative
• Secured funding for Circus Oz to redevelop the old Collingwood TAFE site into a purpose-built facility and new home
• Provided $3 million for Bendigo's Sandhurst Community Theatre project

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