- Published:
- Thursday 26 November 2015
Backing Victorian creative talent, building international engagement, and increasing participation and access will be key to making Victoria a more creative state and Melbourne a global city, according to a report presented to the Andrews Labor Government last night.
Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley welcomed the report from the Creative Industries Taskforce, chaired by Louise Adler AO, which helps set a new direction for development of Victoria’s creative industries.
The report outlines 42 initiatives for government consideration that the Taskforce believes would grow Victoria’s $23 billion creative and cultural economy.
The report draws on contributions from almost 10,000 members of Victoria’s cultural and creative industries and the broader public, as well as extensive research into local and international models.
Recommended initiatives include:
- Fellowships to enable creative practitioners to sustain and advance their careers at key points
- A Commissioning Fund to generate landmark Victorian creative works
- Increasing professional placements, on-the-job-training and secondment opportunities
- Accelerator programs for creative and cultural entrepreneurs
- Co-working spaces and hubs that activate under-utilised spaces for creative use
- Funding to enable Victorian talent to gain international exposure and build global networks
Mr Foley announced that he would establish and chair a Creative Industries Council, as recommended in the report, to oversee the implementation of the government’s strategy.
The 42 initiatives are available for public comment at strategy.creative.vic.gov.au, along with the taskforce report and a summary of the consultation. The Andrews Labor Government’s creative industries strategy is to be released in 2016.
Quote attributable to Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley MP
“Through the Taskforce’s extensive work, it is clear that Victorians understand the immense value of our creative industries and their capacity to deliver cultural, social and economic benefits for the state.”
“We will use this report as a launching pad to deliver a creative industries plan to build the jobs, opportunities and experiences of the future.”
Quote attributable to Taskforce Chair Louise Adler AO
“This report is underpinned by the vision of Victoria as a creative state and Melbourne as a global and liveable city. We have all the necessary talent and human capital to realise this ambition.”
“Our report proposes a range of initiatives that will promote excellence and experimentation in the creative industries locally, nationally and internationally. It will also ensure access to our rich and diverse creative culture and encourage the citizens of Victoria to unleash their inner artists.”