PGAV REPORTs
PGAV Submission for Creative State 2028
PGAV Submission for Creative State 2028
PGAV is pleased to share our submission to the Victorian Government to guide the next Creative State strategy.
Our submission includes 9 key recommendations to unlock the potential of public galleries over the next three years, amplifying their collective impact on mental health, education, employment and the sharing of First Nations art and culture.
Victoria’s public galleries attract 7.3 million visitors annually, invest $4 million into the careers of 5,400 visual artists, and contribute 723 full-time equivalent jobs to the state economy. But behind the doors, galleries are facing significant funding challenges. State government funding to our suburban and regional galleries has been static for over a decade, equating to a 30% effective reduction. This has led to cuts in exhibition programs, with potential staff cuts on the horizon, putting the sector’s sustainability increasingly at risk.
Our submission demonstrates that investing in Victorias network of public galleries is a smart use of resources – avoiding costs to government, while fostering cultural and economic growth. With adequate funding, we can make public galleries more accessible and enhance their contribution to the wellbeing of all Victorians.
Cover image: Chickenosaurus by JESWRI from the exhibition NOT NATURAL, Science Gallery Melbourne, University of Melbourne, 2024
The Public Galleries Association of Victoria (PGAV) acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Owners of the lands where our office is located, and all Traditional Owners of country throughout Victoria and Australia. We recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples enduring traditions and continuing creative cultures. We pay our respect to Elders past, present and emerging.
We are an LGBTQIA+ friendly organisation that celebrates diversity. We are committed to providing safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive services for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.
