For over 150 years, public galleries have been the creative heart of Victorian communities. 

Today, more than 5.3 million people visit one of our 60+ galleries across the state each year to view, learn about, and make, art. 

Our Creative Heart is a campaign by the Public Galleries Association of Victoria, sharing the role and value of galleries to local communities and highlighting why greater investment from the Victorian Government is vital to sustaining these cultural hubs. 

Many public galleries are in crisis — the Our Creative Heart campaign aims to call attention to the realities of our sector.

Without significant change, art collections worth some $4 billion will deteriorate, community stories will disappear, gallery professionals will burn out, and millions of Victorians will miss out on access to a vibrant local visual arts culture. 

Public Galleries Association of Victoria is calling for the Victorian Government to provide additional funding for public galleries, to support job creation; infrastructure development; equity and education, and to protect and conserve collections.  

Only with an increase in government funding can we continue delivering the best possible access to art - for Victorians, for interstate visitors, and for international tourists.