Creative Geelong marks 10 years of impact

CREATIVE Geelong has a lot to celebrate as it marks its 10th anniversary, with the not-for-profit organisation reflecting on its positive impact on the region’s creative sector.

Started in the shadows of Ford and Alcoa closing their doors, Creative Geelong was founded by its now-board chair Jennifer Cromarty.

Looking into policy ideas for economic growth for regional towns and cities, the group founder started the Creative Geelong Facebook page as a way of bringing optimism into the city.

Around eight months after the Facebook page originated, she was approached by a small group who suggested they make it a more formal organisation, and Creative Geelong was born.

“We founded it because we wanted to showcase and highlight the potential creative industries to Geelong,” Ms Cromarty said.

The group was formed with three main objectives, including to support people working in the sector and show how it could be a significant economic and social driver.

Ten years on and the collective has rolled out multiple projects, including its most well-known, the Centrepoint Arcade.

With funding from the City of Greater Geelong and Creative Victoria, the 2017 initiative welcomed makers and creators into the hub, breathing new life into the space.

The arcade is now fully tenanted and is used as the base for operations.

Ms Cromarty said the organisation is proud and happy to have reached the 10-year milestone.

She said Creative Geelong is not only flourishing, but the region has also embraced the sector.

“Looking back, it’s hard to believe it’s been 10 years, when we had COVID in the middle as well, which was very, very difficult for artists and creatives, but we managed to pull through,” she said.

“We’re growing and hopefully building even more success in the future.

“I’m really excited to see us still being a sustainable not-for-profit, which is something that’s not easy to do, but also just the number of people now who are involved and the support that we get from all our members is incredible.”

As the organisation reflects on its past decade, it is also looking towards its future, with plans to showcase a new strategic plan. The plan will be unveiled at a 10th anniversary celebration on November 21 as members and the wider community are invited to mark the occasion.

For more information, head to creativegeelong.com.au