Victorian Delegation To Forge Creative Links With China

Published:
Friday 23 October 2015

Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley will today lead Victoria’s first creative industries delegation to China to pursue partnerships, cultural exchange, investment and export opportunities for the state’s arts, screen, design, tertiary education and digital games sectors.

The official visit, which runs until October 30, follows the signing of a Cultural Partnership Agreement between the Victorian Government and the People’s Republic of China on the Premier’s recent visit. The Agreement opens the doors for Victoria’s cultural and creative industries to forge new opportunities with Australia’s biggest trading partner.

Starting in Hong Kong, the Minister will visit the PMQ design hub and M+, a major new museum for contemporary visual culture, covering art, design, architecture and the moving image, now under construction in the Kowloon Cultural Precinct.

Other highlights will include visits to Tongji University in Shanghai, home to one of the country’s most prestigious design and innovation schools, as well as visits to China’s Game Developer’s Conference and Independent Games Federation Awards, which this year recognise two Victorian nominees.

Mr Foley will meet government, industry and cultural organisations including the Ministry of Culture, the Beijing Industrial Design Centre, Chinese film and animation production companies, and the Palace Museum, which earlier this year successfully staged its first Australian exhibition in partnership with the National Gallery of Victoria.

The delegation will also attend The Australian Ballet’s performance of Cinderella as part of the Shanghai International Arts Festival.

Mr Foley will be joined by representatives from the National Gallery of Victoria, Museum Victoria, Arts Centre Melbourne, Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Malthouse Theatre, the Game Developers Association of Australia, Swinburne University, Film Victoria and Creative Victoria.

This is the first delegation of cultural and creative industries from Victoria to China.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley

“I am pleased to lead Victoria’s first creative industries delegation to China, with delegates from across our design, screen, digital games, visual and performing arts sectors.”

“The Andrews Labor Government is committed to strengthening our longstanding cultural links with China, as well as generating new opportunities and markets for Victorian creative products and services.”

“With our Cultural Partnership Agreement now in place, we hope to create new and deeper connections that will bring cultural, social and economic benefits to both Victoria and China.”