The Victorian Government has unveiled a major arts and cultural infrastructure package in the 2026–27 State Budget, headlined by continued investment in the Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation and the imminent opening of the new Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre.

Treasurer Jaclyn Symes handed down the budget on Tuesday, positioning arts, screen production, music and major events as central pillars of Victoria’s visitor economy and cultural identity.

Among the biggest arts allocations is $29 million over two years to continue delivery of the Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation project, including works linked to Arts Centre Melbourne and the National Gallery of Victoria. The funding will also help manage operational disruption during ongoing construction works across the precinct.

The government has also committed $12.1 million for upgrades to Hamer Hall, aimed at ensuring the venue can continue attracting major national and international music events.

The Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre. Image supplied

Regional Victoria also features strongly in the budget, with the long-awaited Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre set to open in July 2026.

Major construction on the precinct has now been completed, with fit-out and testing works under way ahead of opening. The facility includes a 1000-seat theatre, exhibition halls, conference and meeting spaces, hospitality venues and the new public Gheringhap Plaza, featuring outdoor dining and an 80-square-metre LED screen.The government said construction of the Geelong precinct created more than 1,400 jobs, including training opportunities for 250 apprentices, while also engaging local manufacturers and builders. Officials expect the centre to become a major driver of tourism, conferences and events in regional Victoria.

The adjoining 200-room Crowne Plaza Geelong opened earlier this year and is expected to support the centre’s growing calendar of national conferences and large-scale events.

To help attract those events, the budget includes $23 million to secure business events for Melbourne and regional Victoria, including programming and activation connected to Nyaal Banyul.

The screen sector was another major winner, with $27.2 million over two years allocated to a new Victorian Screen Incentive stream under the Victorian Investment Fund. The initiative is designed to attract international film, television, visual effects, animation and games productions to the state, supporting jobs across the creative industries.

Victoria’s contemporary music sector will receive $4.5 million in 2026–27 through programs linked to the government’s Creative State 2028 strategy.

Funding will support initiatives including Music Works, Songwriting in Schools and the Victorian Music Development Office, alongside research, training and audience development programs for artists and music businesses.

Regional access to the arts was also addressed through a $1.2 million investment in touring initiatives, aimed at bringing more performances and creative opportunities to communities outside Melbourne.

An additional $7.1 million over four years will go towards maintenance and activation of state-owned cultural facilities across Victoria.

The government said the combined package reinforced Victoria’s status as “the sporting and cultural capital” of Australia, with major events and creative industries continuing to play a key role in economic recovery, tourism and employment growth.