Arts in Regional Victoria
Victoria is rich with arts and culture. Public and private art galleries, performing arts centres and museums can be found in almost every large regional city or town in the state, giving residents and visitors to regional Victoria access to excellent art experiences that are generally only available in capital cities.
In this section is an overview of:
Public Art Galleries: The unique nature of each gallery's collection, and the variety, range and quality of exhibitions and programming attracts patronage from beyond their immediate regions, with about 10% of visitors coming from Melbourne and 6% from interstate or overseas.
Museums: Victoria has over 740 community museums, two thirds in regional towns and cities. Together they hold an estimated that 1.5 million cultural heritage items their collections.
Performing Arts Centres: In 2006-07, these facitilites and their programs attracted more than half a million visitors. Local audiences enjoy a mix of local productions as well as touring shows from Melbourne and overseas.
Regional Arts Projects: Arts Victoria is involved in a wide range of regionally based art projects, some of which are spotlighted here.
Local Partnerships Program: In 2005 the Victorian Government's Moving Forward provincial statement boosted funding for the arts in regional Victoria and included the Local Partnerships Program. Many of Victoria's regional councils are already generous supporters of the arts and through participation in the Local Partnerships Program they are able to access additional funds for local initiatives and projects. These councils recognise the value of the arts to the economic and social wellbeing of their communities.
The Local Partnerships Program is just one way state and local governments work together to build cultural infrastructure and deliver quality arts programs to every piece of Victoria.