NILLUMBIK’S ARTS COMMUNITY TAKES ACTION

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It’s been a tough few years for Melbourne’s creative community, with the freedom to make and do – and generate a living from it – put on hold as the world adjusted to a new way of life. But the arts community has always been resilient, and is experiencing something of a revival and a new way forward.

With programs such as ArtsACTION currently being delivered by six Melbourne Councils including Nillumbik Shire Council, local artists can now access a helping hand to get back to business.

Nillumbik, Brimbank City Council, Cardinia Shire Council, Hume City Council, Melton City Council and Yarra Ranges Council launched the ArtsACTION program in January 2023, providing free career support to its creative community.

The online program delivers professional development for artists and creatives to activate career pathways, broaden networks, and build market reach.

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

Emerging and established professional visual artists, performers, writers, musicians, arts workers, and people involved in community arts or creative industries, have been invited to participate.

The Challenges Of The Pandemic

Nillumbik, in the green wedge of Melbourne’s northeast, has a rich artistic history. Nestled in and inspired by the natural environment, the Shire has been home to many well-known artists, writers and architects.

For the vibrant creative community, it’s a way of life to live, work and play alongside artist colonies such as Montsalavat and Dunmoochin, and live amongst the area’s distinctive mudbrick homes, pioneered by architect Alistair Knox post-war.

During the pandemic, Nillumbik painter Susannah Collins was faced with guiding her arts practice through a particularly tumultuous time.

“The obstacles of physical lockdowns and economic uncertainty have necessitated a more resourceful and presentminded approach to my creative pursuits,” Ms Collins said.

Ms Collins believes the impact COVID-19 had on her art was a necessary learning.

“There’s been unique challenges for all of us, including those in the arts community. But I have discovered a strengthened sense of purpose in my work amidst these difficulties,” Ms Collins said.

Enhancing Skills For Future Growth

Nillumbik Shire Council Mayor, Ben Ramcharan, said the Council was committed to supporting its creative practitioners with programs that enhance skills for growth, including professional development programs for artists, such as ArtsACTION.

“We hope to see a wide range of creatives take up this opportunity to develop essential marketing and collaboration skills, and to connect and share their work with other creatives from our partner Council regions,” Mayor Ramcharan said.

ArtsACTION works as a tool for Nillumbik creatives to reinvigorate their business in the arts.

Nillumbik Shire Council’s Director of Community Services, Corrienne Nichols, said it 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.

“Everyone is welcome. We heard from our creative community that they are interested in professional development focused on business and marketing, and that this skill set lays the foundations for artists’ financial success and longevity,” Ms Nichols said.

“Through courses like this, we aim to position Nillumbik as an incubator, where artists work productively and advance their practice, and where creative industries are encouraged to establish and proliferate.”

The Importance Of The Sector

Jumpleads Director and ArtsACTION program facilitator, Sharon Seyd, who has worked in the creative industries for more than 35 years, said the program recognises that creatives are often under-resourced and overlooked – despite their importance as a highly valuable, vital sector of 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.

Getting businesses in the arts back up and running is only enhanced by the networking opportunities of ArtsACTION.

“The partners coming together behind this initiative recognise the need for artists to develop relevant career skills and the support required for them to foster viable practices,” Ms Seyd said.

Since opening ArtsACTION’s online registrations, Nillumbik Shire Council has been overwhelmed with applications.

“We have been impressed by the response,” Ms Nichols said.

“It’s wonderful to see our arts community embrace ArtsACTION, and it shows that this initiative will provide a much needed and wanted resource and opportunity.”

Ms Collins was looking forward to getting involved in the program.

“I think the workshops will provide valuable opportunities to learn from experienced arts professionals in marketing, cultivating an audience, and networking,” Ms Collins said.

“These experiences will not only enhance my personal and professional growth as an artist, but also allow me to home. As an artist, it is deeply gratifying to see my work evoke a sense of reflection in the viewer, perhaps even compelling them to pause and see the humble scenes from their own lives in a new way.”

Embracing The Creative Side Of Nillumbik

The Nillumbik region has always been synonymous with the arts scene, and it’s clear that this tradition continues in 2023, with artists injecting culture and collaboration back into the eternally creative region.

Arts and cultural development programs serve an important purpose, as Nillumbik’s local community of creatives foster an evergreen desire to further their arts practice for both personal and community enjoyment.

Whether it’s exhibitions, events, gallery openings, art tours, grants programs, local markets or large scale festivals, Nillumbik relies on its artists to provide the diverse creativity the local area thrives on.

Now, with ArtsACTION on hand to facilitate and inspire, the creative community will gain invaluable input and resources to achieve long-term viability in their creative pursuits.

ArtsACTION is free to participate in and will be delivered entirely online from March to June 2023.