Victoria’s budget provides funding boost for creative sector and Commonwealth Games

The creative sector along with planning for the 2026 Commonwealth have benefitted from funding in yesterday’s Victorian Government budget.

With $245.8 million in budget funding to support the recovery, reactivation and growth of the state’s arts sector, Claire Febey, Chief Executive of industry body Creative Victoria sees that the new investment will ensure the creative sector can play a central role in driving Victoria’s social and economic recovery.

The funding will help major drawcard attractions and events across the screen industry, regional touring, facilities and workspaces underpinning support for artists.

Creative Victoria says highlights from the budget include a total of $127.4 million committed to ACMI, Arts Centre Melbourne, Geelong Arts Centre, Melbourne Recital Centre, Museums Victoria, NGV and the State Library.

The funding will support creative education programs, commissions for local artists, initiatives for entrepreneurs, and a range of new exhibitions and events. A further $32.1 million was committed to the National Gallery of Victoria’s popular summer exhibition program.

NBCUniversal has received $54.1 million to assist with projects like the filming of Metropolis, which will be the state’s largest-ever screen production.

Venues and infrastructure will receive $17.5 million with major works at Footscray Community Arts and Castlemaine Art Museum scheduled as well as upgrades to Theatre Works and the National Theatre in St Kilda. Development of the Dandenong Arts Precinct and a performance centre in Tarneit North is also earmarked.

Individual artists will benefit from a $6 million creative places program which aims to increase affordable spaces for developing and showcasing their work.

Melbourne’s rapidly growing western region will receive a boost via a new $2.4 million Go West Festivals Fund that the government hopes will encourage the state’s major festivals to stage shows and commission new works there.

Indigenous artists will have access to a $1.1 million investment into the First Peoples Touring and Engagement program bringing events that celebrate their culture and creativity to regional audiences.

Leading South Asian directors and the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne will access $1.3 million and $1 million respectively to help fund new initiatives encouraging tourism and promoting the state as an education destination.

The live music touring circuit will benefit from $2.9 million to support program dubbed Victorian Music First, a licensing initiative aimed at increasing use of local music in government settings and to generate new income for the state’s artists.

Commonwealth Games and other budget commitments
Victoria’s budget also sees $2.6 billion put aside to host the Commonwealth Games in 2026 with the money to be spread between the four major hubs, Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat and Gippsland.

Visit Victoria will receive an additional $5 million to lure the return of overseas visitors while a further $65.7 million will be invested to maintain the support of event infrastructure and tourism attractions including Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Kardinia Park Stadium Trust, State Sport Centres Trust and the Puffing Billy Railway.

Images: The Melbourne Recital Centre (top) and the Geelong Arts Centre (below).