Creatives offered free career jumpstart

FREE career support is being offered to artists and creatives thanks to a collaboration between eight councils in regional Victoria.

Central Goldfields Shire among those supporting the six-part free professional development course being delivered via the ArtsACTION program.

The course is available until April 2022 and aims to help build career pathways, broaden networks, and develop market reach.

Facilitated by Pop Up Art, a division of not-for-profit Jumpleads NFP, ArtsACTION offers a six-part email resource pack, Zoom workshops, and access to a growing support network.

Each workshop will cover topics such as being market ready, working together effectively and digital communities.

“Providing resources to help improve and activate existing arts and culture assets across our Shire presents significant opportunity to improve liveability for local residents,” said Emma Little, manager of tourism, events and culture at Central Goldfields Shire.

“It will also help to create products and experiences which align well with key tourist target markets.”

Jumpleads director and program facilitator Sharon Seyd said the program recognised that creatives were often under-resourced and overlooked, despite their importance as a valuable and vital sector within our communities.

“According to Creative Victoria, in 2019-20, the creative sector contributed $31.6 billion to the Victorian economy, 8.6 per cent of the total state workforce,” Ms Seyd said.

“The partners in this initiative recognise the need for artists to develop relevant career skills and the support required for them to foster viable practices.

“Through our experience delivering the previous three programs and working with 1000s of artists, we have found most creatives want greater opportunities for exposure.

“Many need information, methods, and frameworks to maximise their potential.”

She said the course was particularly relevant for creatives looking to grow their career, build their business, step up their organisation, or connect with other creatives across Victoria and beyond.

ArtsACTION has been made available free of charge due to a donation by the Helen McPherson Smith Trust and the Central Goldfields, Ballarat, Geelong, Melton, Moorabool, Mildura, Surf Coast and Swan Hill municipalities.

Emerging or professional visual artists, performers, writers, musicians, arts workers, and people involved in community arts or creative industries, are invited to participate in the program which will be delivered entirely online.

For more information go to popupart.com.au/artsaction.

– BY KYLIE OLIVER