Victoria’s first creative industries strategy – Creative State released last night unveiled an ambitious plan to build the state’s film, television, digital games, design, fashion and arts sectors will have a prominent Advisory Board oversee its delivery.
Designed to grow the state’s $23 billion creative and cultural economy, the Creative State strategy comprises 40 funded initiatives aimed at turbocharging the state’s creative enterprises, creating new jobs and employment opportunities, and bringing social and cultural benefits to Victorians.
Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley last night launched Creative State, a $115 million investment to develop and keep our best creative talent.
The strategy provides comprehensive support to key industry sectors including $16.4m to strengthen Victoria’s design industry, the state’s fastest growing creative sector; and $14.2m for the screen industry to attract more opportunities to Victoria and support Melbourne International Film Festival, one of the world’s best consumer film festivals.
In addition, the Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund will provide $20 million to support a creative hub in the Latrobe Valley and a gallery in Shepparton.
Key initiatives will be overseen by a Creative State Advisory Board, chaired by Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley. The Board will bring together expertise from across Victoria’s creative sectors, the members are:
Nicole Beyer: Director, Theatre Network Australia (Victoria)
Robert Connolly: Film director, producer, screenwriter
Richard Frankland: Film maker, artist, Head of Wilin Centre, VCA
Ella Hooper: Singer-songwriter, radio presenter, TV personality
Graeme Lewsey: CEO, Melbourne Fashion Festival
Alice Nash: Executive Producer & Co-CEO, Back to Back Theatre
Tony Reed: CEO, Game Developers’ Association of Australia
Katrina Sedgwick: Director/CEO, Australian Centre for the Moving Image
Melis Senova: Founder and Managing Director, Huddle Design
Kate Torney: Chief Executive, State Library of Victoria
Peter Tullin: Cultural entrepreneur and co-founder of CultureLabel.com
Marcus Westbury: Broadcaster, writer, media-maker, festival director and CEO, Collingwood Arts Precinct.
Creative State is available on the Creative Victoria website
Quotes attributable to Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley
“This investment will create jobs and deliver economic, social and cultural dividends to our state, benefitting all Victorians.”
“I look forward to getting to work with the Creative State Advisory Board and many others across Victoria to grow our creative industries and their impact locally and globally.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020