Getting creative to support a $639 million industry in Maribyrnong
Published on 31 January 2025
Maribyrnong’s vibrant arts sector contributes $639 million into the local economy, which is why it is important to have a robust strategy in place to support it – and our community – into the future.
Council has developed a draft Creativity Strategy 2030 to address barriers, including accessibility, for people wanting to participate and enjoy arts and culture, and to support the creative community and our creative values – which is now available to view and provide comment on.
The arts and culture sector already provides 2,800 jobs in the City of Maribyrnong, and through proper planning and working with the community, it is anticipated a finalised Strategy could guide investment and opportunities that could add more than 3,000 additional jobs in the coming decades.
City of Maribyrnong Mayor, Cr Pradeep Tiwari said creativity, and the arts, were key to building a more resilient and well-resourced society and economy.
“Arts and culture is increasingly recognised as vital to a community’s development. In Maribyrnong, our arts and culture sector supports residents to live whole and connected lives. It also has multiple ‘halo’ effects, including drawing customers to local business – a major driver for tourism.”
The draft Strategy is underpinned by three goals, which will see arts and culture leveraged to support social cohesion, and boost economic growth and urban revitalisation:
- For the City to be a ‘creative and inspiring place to be’, with the aim of supporting an additional 30 per cent of residents able to enjoy all the arts and culture sector has to offer by 2030
- For Maribyrnong to be a hothouse for creativity, leading to an estimated 20 per cent increase in creative works’ production.
- For our region to be an immersive cultural destination, leading to a proposed 50 per cent increase in annual spending across cultural and creative industries.
Residents can share comments on the draft Strategy at yourcityyourvoice.com.au/creativity-strategy by midnight Sunday 23 February 2025.
Feedback will help inform the final document prior to endorsement later in 2025.
Maribyrnong News
Stay up-to-date with the latest news by subscribing to our eNews.