What we are asking
Help us elevate the Mornington Peninsula’s reputation as an arts and culture destination. We have carried out initial scoping – we now need $500,000 to deliver:
- A detailed business case and concept development
- modelling for creative arts precincts across the Peninsula
What makes this unique
The Mornington Peninsula is a community intensely engaged with the creative arts.
We have the 4th highest participation rate in arts and culture in Victoria:
- 88% of residents regularly attend cultural venues or events
- 44% of residents are actively involved in creative activities themselves
Despite being home to a remarkably productive and vibrant arts and culture sector, the Peninsula lacks the infrastructure and facilities to showcase and grow this vital part of our economy.
We have a strong creative community: •
- More than 30 dance schools, 23 historical groups, 20 community choirs, 10 amateur theatre groups, 54 schools, 350 stakeholder community groups/ organisations, and hundreds of artists.
Lack of facilities is holding us back:
- Benchmarking shows we are significantly underserviced when compared to municipalities with similar populations, with only one Council-run dedicated arts space (MPRG).
- We are unable to capitalise on the Peninsula’s growing reputation as an arts and culture destination without additional creative space dedicated to the arts.
Mornington Peninsula Shire’s Arts and Culture Plan 2020-2024 revealed:
- More than 923 local businesses and non-profit organisations are active in the creative and cultural industries
- More than 3.4% of the region’s workforce are engaged in the sector
- Our arts sector plays a significant role in attracting more than 7 million domestic and international visitors to the region each year
- There is significant untapped commercial potential that could position the Peninsula as a leading destination for the Arts in Victoria.
- There are significant health and wellbeing benefits that spring from the arts and culture sector
The contribution of a creative economy in improving cultural diversity, social inclusion, environmental sustainability, and technological advancement is well-recognised by both the Australian and Victorian Governments.
The Australia Council for the Arts Corporate Plan 2019 – 2023 and the Victorian Government’s Victoria’s Creative State 2016 – 2020 both focus on the importance of the creative/cultural industry in enriching our society and the economy and articulate strategies to build capability and conditions for growth.
Both governments acknowledge the continuing effects of COVID-19 on the cultural and creative sector and look to provide targeted support for the cultural and creative sector recovery.
Our Council and Wellbeing Plan 2021-2025, which reflects the goals and aspirations of our Community Vision, identifies arts and culture as a key enabler.
- Strategic Objective 2.4 calls for a diverse economy, with green and renewable opportunities, encouraging entrepreneurship, investment, and innovation.
- Action 2.4.2. is to investigate and develop a Performing Arts and Cultural Precinct with a specific focus on a performing arts centre, advocating for funding opportunities.
- Strategic Objective 3.4 calls for a community with vibrant arts, culture, sport, and recreational opportunities that foster connections and participation across generations, backgrounds, and abilities.
- Action 3.4.2. implements the Shire’s Arts and Culture Plan, creating an environment in which the arts thrive.
