Helping Victoria’s Creatives Tour More Regional Towns

From Shepparton to Ballarat, Ocean Grove to Frankston, the Allan Labor Government is making sure more creative organisations can showcase their work in regional communities across Victoria for everybody to enjoy.

Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks announced a diverse line-up of performances, exhibitions and masterclasses that will tour regional and outer metropolitan communities in 2024 and 2025, with investment through the Touring Victoria program.

The program supports leading creative organisations across Victoria to take their works on the road and connect world-class art with more communities and local venues – boosting accessibility and opportunity for Victorians.

The latest round of grants will see Koorie Heritage Trust take its upcoming world premiere exhibition, JXSH MVIR: FOREVER I LIVE, to regional galleries, with this first major retrospective celebrating the work of the late Gunditjmara, Yorta Yorta and Barkindji artist Josh Muir.

It will hit the road after its premiere at Koorie Heritage Trust in 2024. 

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra will tour performances, school workshops and collaborative rehearsals to locations including Geelong, Mildura and Shepparton, while Melbourne Chamber Orchestra’s tour will bring music, masterclasses and talks to Mornington, Yackandandah, Horsham and beyond.

The Neurokin program will bring entertaining and accessible storytelling, design and craft sessions designed for Autistic and neurodiverse children and young people to community houses in Ocean Grove, Melton, Yarrawonga and more.  

The Neurokin tour will also feature professional development sessions for Autistic and neurodiverse artists, and will support participating venues learn more about how to deliver safe and accessible sensory activities for their local community.

Flying Fruit Flies will bring Tempo, a new musical circus show for children and families, to Wangaratta, Warrnambool and Narre Warren while theatre company Alternative Facts will tour a new theatre work introducing the magic of teaching Shakespeare to school students. 

Confirmed stops include Frankston, Sale and Bendigo with more to come. 

Touring Victoria is part of the Labor Government’s Creative State 2025 strategy. For more details on the latest recipients, visit creative.vic.gov.au/news

Quotes attributable to Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks

“Victoria is the creative state – a place where people of all ages have the chance to experience world-class creative events and activities, no matter wherever they live.”

“We’re proud to back Victorian creative companies as they share their work to more people across the state in more local venues, while opening up professional development opportunities for regional and suburban creatives.”