Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley MP has announced the creation of a new strategy to help foster creative people and industries across south-west Victoria.
The Great South Coast Creative Industries Strategy will be a collaboration between the Warrnambool City Council, Regional Arts Victoria, the Victorian Government, Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism and the Corangamite, Glenelg, Moyne and Southern Grampians shires.
The need for a strategy was identified during last year's Regional Assemblies program, which enabled the local community to engage directly with government on priorities for the area.
Warrnambool Mayor Tony Herbert said that the strategy will advocate for artists and culture as important to creating communities with high standards of liveability.
"Our region is home to some very creative, talented and entrepreneurial people, and this strategy will look at how artists, businesses and government can work collaboratively to make south-west Victoria a hive of culture," he said.
"You only need to look at how well the recent explosion of street art in Warrnambool has been received as one example of how art, creativity and culture are not niche industries. They are something that thousands of people have a passion for.
"We want to hear from as many people as possible who want to help shape the future of the region's creative industries."
A website has been launched for people to make submissions, and a series of public events will be held to give everyone an opportunity to share their thoughts.
A joint session with Creative Victoria will be held on Tuesday August 20 from 6pm-8pm at Pavilion Cafe & Bar, 50 Viaduct Road, Warrnambool (La Bella Function Room).
