The Victorian Government has unveiled Creative State 2028, its third creative industries strategy, setting out a three-year framework to bolster the state’s cultural sector and lay “a strong foundation” for long-term growth.

The strategy highlights the social, cultural and economic contribution of Victoria’s creative industries, while acknowledging the increasingly complex environment facing artists and organisations both locally and globally. It emphasises the importance of creative skills to future jobs, communities and the broader economy.

Staunch ASF by Amelia Jean O’Leary, Melburne Fringe Festival 2023. Photo © Alliah Nivall

A reaffirmed commitment to First Peoples First sits at the core of the plan, aiming to strengthen First Peoples’ creative industries, embed cultural practice and support community and Country. The release comes as Victoria signs Australia’s first state-wide Treaty with First Peoples, with the strategy’s First Peoples Directions Circle Principles intended to help amplify First Peoples’ stories and creativity.

Partnerships underpin the strategy, spanning artists, communities, portfolio agencies, creative organisations and businesses, other levels of government, philanthropic partners and national and international collaborators.

Equity and inclusion are identified as essential to...