A collaborative effort between partner agencies will see the development of the first creative industries strategy for the G21 region, with G21 and the Committee for Geelong partnering with local creative and cultural agencies.
Development of the strategy comes at an important time, with the sector facing challenges in this post-COVID economy.
This Arts, Heritage & Culture Pillar project will provide a framework for the region to respond and adapt to the many impacts of the COVID-19 shutdown on the creative industries and will help identify growth opportunities in local planning, population growth, private investment and infrastructure projects.
The project will reflect the region’s creative heritage, and with Geelong as Australia’s only UNESCO City of Design, it will build the ‘clever and ‘creative’ strategic direction which is driving the region’s creative capability.
Project scoping will include a review and analysis of existing policy and strategy, an overview of current creative industry development and will include a range of stakeholder consultations.
This research will inform the development of a strategic plan for the creative industries that will identifying and driving opportunities for creative growth and development in the G21 region.
A Project Steering Committee has been formed that includes representatives from the G21, the Committee for Geelong, the Geelong Arts Centre, the Geelong Gallery, Creative Geelong Inc, Platform Arts, Back to Back Theatre, the Geelong Regional Library Corporation and Regional Development Victoria.
With financial contributions from all project partners and a grant from Regional Development Australia-Barwon South West, the strategy will be developed by renowned arts sector strategic consultancy Tony Grybowski & Associates.
It is due for completion in May 2021.
