The Arts, Culture and Heritage Pillar focuses on growing broad community engagement and nurturing the region's creative capability and reputation.

The G21 region is rich and culturally diverse.  It is full of professional, emerging and amateur artists, volunteers and arts workers who are actively involved in creating arts and heritage opportunities, challenges and celebrations for the benefit of the broader community.

Participants in a multitude of heritage and arts disciplines are passionate about their ventures. The ongoing development of partnerships and networks provide greater opportunities for all levels of arts and heritage to flourish and subsequently gain broad critical acclaim.

The region fosters community engagement in arts, culture and heritage activities through a range of institutions and facilities including the Colac Otway Performing Arts and Cultural Centre, Film Geelong, Geelong Art Gallery, Geelong Performing Arts Centre, Regional Library, the Court House Project, the Geelong Heritage Centre and the Geelong Botanic Gardens. There is also a wide range of activity that takes place in a variety of places throughout the region.

The Geelong Art Gallery has a number of historically significant Australian paintings in its collection and smaller private galleries exhibit the works of local artists.  The region also has a number of thematic museums, which includes the Queenscliffe Maritime Museum, Surf World at Torquay and the National Wool Centre and Ford Discovery Centre in Geelong.

Events held throughout the region have a variety of local, regional, interstate and national aims and include the Avalon International Airshow, the Queenscliff Music Festival and Rock Above the Falls. There is statistical evidence that arts events, including visits to libraries and cinemas, have a larger audience than sports events.

There is a continual growth of locally owned events, which are an important part of the maturing community and an understanding of the need for the development of community connection.

In addition to playing a key role in engaging the community in the arts and culture and supporting lifelong learning, these facilities and events play a very important part in stimulating tourism in the Region.

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Region Report - Arts, Culture & Heritage