Welcome to our creative city

Ballarat is working to become the city of the sustainable and resilient practitioner, and we’re supporting all forms of artist, maker, creative and producer. Whether you are seeking to develop a fine arts practice and devote yourself to being a professional practising artist, or wanting to grow your creative business, the City of Ballarat wants to see you succeed. Designated a UNESCO Creative City of Crafts & Folk Art we’re steadily working towards economic resilience through support of the micro and artisanal.

Here you’ll be able to find opportunities for makers, creatives and artists alike. We’re working to create a clearinghouse of opportunities - expressions of interest, open jobs and other briefs - and support networks you can call on. You can also find out what kind of happenings are going on around town, perfect for the local creative. We profile our growing community of artists, makers, performers and producers, building a better city for all.

Ballarat’s heart of creativity

Over two years the City of Ballarat was focused on the development of it’s Creative City Strategy. This strategy is one that embraces the energies of makers, crafters, artists, innovators, entrepreneurs and problem solvers, linking them closer to the engine room of the city’s heart.

We know that a creative city is one that can wear the changes in economic forces, delivers new ideas, drives businesses to grow and delivers greater community cohesion and wellbeing. The creative sector in Ballarat is crucial to our prosperity, helping create better people and better places to live and work. It is creative thinking that helps all sectors to blossom, and underpins a healthier, happier and wealthier city. The City of Ballarat is dedicated to embedding creativity within its very fabric.

Live music conference

Be Hear Now Live Music Conference

Held over two days (10-11 August) in the Civic Hall, the Networking and Showcase event is the ultimate information source for regional musicians and music makers. This event is a chance for the regional music industry to meet, network and learn from one another – permitting valuable time for Ballarat music sector to introduce their work to the wider world.

Full days of talks, discussions and workshops will be bookended with showcase performances from Ballarat musicians and industry change-makers

The event will include a chance to meet the decision-makers in the music business, including reps from APRA AMCOS, Music Victoria, Unified Artist Management and more.

writing workshops

Writing workshops this winter at Ballarat Library

Ballarat Library is offering a series of free workshops to help you unleash the story you’ve always wanted to tell.

Register your spot now for:

Writing dialogue workshop, 20 July 10am

Blackout poetry, 24 July 6pm

Check out all the workshops and events on offer at the Ballarat Library from writing workshops, LinkedIn Learning to tech cafes and reading parties!

Latest show in Unicorn Lane

Impressions: Explorations in Printmaking
Arts Academy Federation University
1 July - 21 August | Unicorn Lane

This exhibition features a curated selection of artworks by second-year students, highlighting the foundational skills they have developed in Printmaking over the semester.

Through diligent effort, students have refined their styles and broadened their understanding of various artistic methods within Printmaking.

Students exhibiting are:
Alyssa Goodwin, Jennifer Hart, Brielle Hogan, Clayton Keefe, Rachel King, Blythe Plier, Tahlia Roberts and Izzie Sterk.

2024 creative sector survey

2024 Creative Sector Survey now open

It’s that time of the year again where we ask you to tell us about your arts practice and how optimistic and financially secure you feel in the creative sector.

Now in its fourth year, this annual survey will feed into the Creative City Annual Report Card and share insight into our creative city.

We want to hear how your feel about your financial sustainability in relation to your creative practice and about the future of your practice.

This survey is open to all creative sectors and to practitioners from hobbyist and early career to professionals. Survey closes 4 August.

Sign up to our monthly newsletter

Want to be the first to hear about what’s happening in our creative city? Sign up for our newsletter and tell us a little more about who you are and what you do!

FIND PLACES TO GO

There are heaps of tiny galleries, small studios, workspaces and hiding places for our creative community. Have a little scout of our open studios and micro-enterprises.

CREATIVE STRATEGY ACTIONS

SUPPORTING CREATIVES THROUGH COVID

OUR CREATIVE COMMUNITY