Community Art
Resources and Training.
Resources and Training
The City of Ballarat works with a wide cross section of creative people within the community to understand the types of resources and training needed. From basic information on whether you’re eligible for grants across to whether you might need to charge GST, or providing you with a chance to meet experts, commentators, curators and others. Below you will find a collection of videos, websites and information sheets to assist and guide you in your professional practice. Resources come from a range of organisations that support artists such as Creative Victoria, Arts Council Australia, NAVA and Arts+Law. Topics range from guidelines to working in the community to advice regarding funding, marketing and support for wellbeing. Check back regularly to see what new training and resources are available.
Upcoming Professional Development
One-on-One Mentoring for Small Creative Business
WHEN: May to July 2025
Expression of Interest Applications being accepted
COST: Free
Applications close wednesday 30 april 2o25.
Creative City Ballarat has engaged Sophia D'Urso from ArtSupport Australia to engage with five local creatives in the early stages of their small creative, Ballarat based business
There will be five (5) places available. Successful applicants will receive the following:
3 x Sessions (60 Minutes) with Sophia D'Urso, Founder & Arts Manager, ArtSupport
Gain clarity on short-term and long-term goals
Address specific challenges
Receive tailored, practical advice relevant to you
Get a personalised action plan, industry resources, and expert feedback on your materials
Online Support
Shared folder of industry resources
Sessions will be online and can take place fortnightly or monthly. The three sessions will be completed within three months. Applications are open to creatives from across all of the arts sectors but must be based in Ballarat.
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About Sophia D’Urso, ArtSupport Founder and Arts Manager
With over a decade of experience in the Australian arts sector, Sophia understand the challenges artists and arts professionals face, having worked with hundreds of artists and arts workers, helping them navigate key areas like pricing, marketing, networking, and managing the business side of their careers. Sophia knows how overwhelming it can be to balance the creative process with the practical demands of building a sustainable career.
Sophia’s experience spans both the public and private sectors of the Australian arts industry, including local government, commercial galleries, cultural festivals, production companies, and national art fairs. She holds a Master’s in Business (Arts & Cultural Management), a Bachelor of Design Arts (Visual Arts), and a Diploma of Fine Arts. These experiences have equipped her with a broad understanding of the arts industry and how to support artists and arts workers at every stage of their careers.
Sophia D’Urso, Founder and Arts Manager, ArtSupport Australia.
Creative’s Coffee Catch Up
WHEN: 10.30am, Thursday 1 may 2025
WHERE: her majesty’s theatre (Level 1 - The Long room)
COST: Free
Join the Creative City team along with Kristy Witmitz, Venues Manager at the City of Ballarat and fellow creatives for a catch up on all the latest news, events and opportunities in town.
A fantastic opportunity to share updates on any upcoming gig, workshops, exhibitions you have in the works and meet and mingle with artists, writers, musicians, performers designers, crafters, makers and more!
We look forward to seeing you there. Don’t forget to register your attendance to ensure we have coffee/tea for all guests.
outWARds: Ballarat.
Women’s Register 50th Anniversary Roadshow.
WHEN: 11am - 2.30pm, Saturday 31 May 2025
WHERE: Eureka Centre Ballarat
Cost: Free
Join the Women's Art Register's 50th Anniversary celebrations as they launch their National Roadshow OUTWARDS here in Ballarat!
Hear from Committee members about W.A.R's dynamic history and how this unique Australian feminist living archive, (one of only two in the world surviving from the 70s) was established. W.A.R. now represents over 5000 Australian based women and you can be involved!
This program will include tips on conserving your art and how to leave your legacy.
Topics include:
The History of W.A.R., issues, challenges and absences (Merren Ricketson, History & Education Coord)
How to get involved and how to submit your material (Kirsty Gorter, Acting Chair)
A younger person's perspective about being involved in W.A.R. and "What I've picked up about
conserving your work and safeguarding your practice" (Kate Smith, Communications and Membership Coordinator)
An introduction to the ‘Leaving your Legacy’ project and workbook. (Merren Ricketson, History & Education Coord)
Q &A. Feedback and responses to the day.
Photographing your artwork with David Bailey
WHEN: Session 1 10am, | Session 2, 11.30am
Wednesday 4 June 2025
WHERE: obsucra cameras, 3/20 elizabeth st, delacombe.
Cost: Free
Join photographer and trainer David Bailey from Obscura Cameras as he provides practical tips and advice on how to photograph your artworks (2D and 3D) in your own homes and studios.
Get professional looking images for your socials and website using techniques, items and lighting you can easily access for minimal costs.
These sessions are open to artists and creative makers that live, work and/or study in Ballarat.
RESOURCES
Writing about you and your creative practice
Writing by Megan J Riedl. Photographer Tony Evans
LinkedIn Learning Online Courses
The City of Ballarat Library offers access to library members access to LinkedIn Learning where many thousands of hours of video training and online courses can be accessed. Categories of content are Business, Technology and Creative.
Find videos to support or extend your creative practice or business and upskill in your own time, at your own pace.
It’s tax time - I’m an Artist : Business Basics Series
Aimed at artists and creatives, Accountant Tim Gay answers questions relating to profit making, GST, taxes, record keeping and insurance. Check out each, informative and entertaining video below.
Professional advice for your creative practice
Information sheets by Arts Law
MORAL RIGHTS
LICESNING
CULTURAL AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
AUSPICE AGREEMENTS
CONTRACT TEMPLATES
INFORMATION SHEETS BY COPYRIGHT AUSTRALIA COUNCIL
INTRODUCTION TO COPYRIGHT
COPYRIGHT AND EDITORS
COPYRIGHT AND PHOTOGRAPHY
COPYRIGHT AND MUSIC
COPYRIGHT AND PERFORMANCE ART
CREATIVE COMMON LICENCES
PROTECTING YOUR COPYRIGHT
PAST TRAINING EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
Copyright Basics for Ballarat Creatives with the Australian Copyright Council - April 2025
The Australian Copyright Council has been invited to present a one-hour online session that will introduce the basics of copyright law followed by a Q&A session.
This session will help you understand how your creations are protected, your rights when it comes to copyright and how it applies to areas such as social media platforms.
Workshop - Learn to create your own reels
Mar & apr 2025
Have you wanted to create a video reel for your socials to promote a gig, exhibition or project but not quite sure how to go about it?
Join Jarrod Hall from The Gingko Tree Creative Studio for a session to help you get you started and ready to upload videos in no time.
careers in craft
Feb 2025
Join us for Careers in Craft, a dynamic professional development day tailored for creatives in Ballarat and surrounding areas.
As part of the Craft Lab 25 program, this event will empower you with the tools, insights, and inspiration to elevate your craft practice and creative business.
Grant writing workshop
feb 2025
Learn how to put together a strong funding application in this grant-writing workshop run by Hannah Strout and Patrick Hayes from Auspicious Arts Projects Inc.
The workshop will cover the following topics;
· How to approach an application strategically
· Preparing a balanced budget
· Support materials
· Addressing the selection criteria
· Refining your elevator pitch
creatives catch up at kanks
Feb 2025
Join the Creative City team and fellow artists, makers, performers, musicians, writers, designers and crafters at out next Creative Catch Up. Here about the latest creative opportunities and upcoming events. Tell us about your projects and creative plans.
The Professional Business of CreativitY. NOV 2024
Join workshop facilitator Angela D’Alton who will guide you through business basics and how to set yourself up for success as a creative in business during this 45 minute presentation followed by a 15 minute Q&A..
How do I Price my work?
Nov 2024
Sophia D’Urso from ArtSupport shares insight and tips into navigating the complexities of determining the value of your work. Do you struggle with pricing your artwork, crafts and creations? Wanting to sell your work online, at markets or exhibitions?
Wellbeing for creatives
Below are current resources to support the creative sector and help navigate wellbeing of artists.
The Arts Wellbeing Collective
Brings together the expertise of mental and allied health professionals with industry insights and resources to support creatives with their wellbeing.
Support Act Helpline
The Support Act Wellbeing Helpline is a free, confidential counselling service that is available to anyone working in Australian music or the arts.
Lunchtime workshop sessions (feB/March 2021)
Lunchtime workshop: Creative associations - Should you join one?
Lunchtime Workshop:
Choosing the Right Digital Platform.
Lunchtime Workshop:
Get That Gig.
Lunchtime Workshop: Dealing with Creative Block.
Lunchtime Workshop:
The Art of Rejection
Ballarat Arts Incubator
A space to explore, experiment & Collaborate
The Ballarat Arts Incubator located at 36 Camp Street, Ballarat Central, has been established as a space for experimentation for creative industry and practice.
The Incubator includes rehearsal spaces for music, dedicated zones for young people, theatre development spaces for writing and workshopping, quiet zones for administration, and film studios for production. Spaces can be booked via the organisation licenced to each space.
CREATIVE SECTOR ORGANISATIONS (VICTORIA)
Click on the logo to access each organisations website.
