Queensland's professional guidance program for arts careers continues in 2022

Since its launch in April 2021, the Creative Business Champions initiative - a free online professional guidance service - has provided advice and mentoring to more than 800 Queensland artists and arts workers, supporting employment and career pathways. The program is once again being offered in 2022.

Queensland Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch and Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer announced the continuation of the program that connects artists and arts workers with industry leaders to help them grow their businesses and secure sustainable careers in the sector.

Queensland Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch advised that the State Government is focussed on strengthening the role of creativity in supporting economic and social recovery, as outlined in their ten-year roadmap Creative Together.

This initiative is aimed at securing the pipeline of sustainable arts careers and businesses, that can drive regional development and cultural vibrancy across the state.

Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer praised the program for delivering valuable guidance to artists, arts workers and organisations and added “I am pleased to see the Creative Business Champions initiative continue to benefit the sector in 2022 – especially as we build back from the COVID-19 pandemic – and I encourage artists across the state to register.”

Artist and designer Kylie Gersekowski signed up for Creative Business Champions in 2021.

“This tailored program has helped me so much,” Gersekowski said.

“I was ready to give up after all my live events were cancelled, but the program taught me how to venture into online classes and now my business has seen an increase in revenue, I've also been announced as a finalist in a pretty big small business award!” she said.

Creative Business Champion Shelley Pisani advised "These challenging times have forced us to look differently at the way we practice our artforms and manage our careers.

“It has been wonderful working with artists to differentiate and diversify their options and plot a way forward.

“Seeing them make strategic decisions and gain focus to achieve great outcomes such as launching new products or businesses, developing new exhibitions, and achieving funding outcomes has been such a rewarding process. Importantly, these talented people have renewed confidence which is half the battle."

Creative Business Champions is delivered through the Regional Arts Services Network (RASN), an initiative of the Queensland Government. The Regional Arts Services Network (RASN), led by service providers across the state, delivers opportunities for regional communities to access high quality arts and cultural engagement.

To register for Creative Business Champions