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.

Leanne Martin: Botanical inspirations

14 March to 14 April, Art Space Ballarat

Botanical Illustrations is a vibrant celebration of creativity and mostly Australian flora. With a passion for natural history, Leanne has created a series of native flora and bees with a contemporary twist.

Artworks are created using a range of mediums including watercolour, coloured pencil, pastel and graphite for her illustrations.

Open 10am to 3pm, Monday to Sunday.
14 Lydiard St Nth, Ballarat.

Copyright basics for creatives
WITH aUST cOPYRIGHT cOUNCIL

11am, Tuesday 8 April 2025

The Australian Copyright Council has been invited to present a one-hour online session for Ballarat creatives 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.

CRAFT LAB AIMING FOR AWARD

Craft Lab, the City of Ballarat’s signature sector development program and exhilarating event, is part of the National Awards for Local Government. We need your vote!

This process takes several steps:
1. visit the National Award website
2. register your email address
3. click on ‘voting assignments’
4. navigate to ‘Arts & Culture’
5. select Craft Lab and use your valuable vote on us

Voting closes on the 28 April. And go…!

Creative’s coffee catch up
At Her Majesty’s tehatre

10.30am, Thu 1 May 2025

Join the Creative City team, fellow creatives and out host Kristy Witmitz, Venues Manager at the City of Ballarat at the newly refurbished Her Majety’s theatre.

Hear the latest news, updates and opportunities on offer in Ballarat and hear from fellow creatives about their latest projects. Great opportunity to meet people working across all the arts sectors from hobbyists to professionals.

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CREATIVE STRATEGY ACTIONS

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OUR CREATIVE COMMUNITY