Merri-bek is home to many artists, designers, creative organisations and vibrant audiences.

We are proud of our strong creative community that includes:

• A diverse program of Festivals and major events like Brunswick Music Festival, Fawkner Festa and Glenroy Festival, as well as community events in our parks and streets
• The exciting galleries and studios across the municipality, including the Counihan Gallery
• Our thriving live music scene that includes a growing number of venues and local musicians
• Professional development opportunities, residences and an annual arts grants program for artists
• Dynamic public art and mural commissions
• The Brunswick Design District, home to flourishing creative industries like designers and makers.

You can now read our draft Arts and Culture Strategy

Earlier in 2023 we asked what you love about arts, culture and creativity in Merri-bek, and what you would like to see in the future.

Using this feedback we have prepared a Draft Arts and Culture Strategy that is now available for you to read. If you have any comments about the strategy you can submit them using the form below.

How your feedback shaped the strategy

During our first round of consultation we heard from over 200 people through:

• Activities on Conversation Merri-bek
• Face-to-face consultations
• Conversations with Merri-bek’s Arts Advisory Committee, First Nations Creative Consultation group and Children’s Reference Group.

Responses were positive, aspirational and hopeful.

We heard that our community:

• is passionate about Merri-bek and want to see more artists and more activity everywhere;
• is proud of the arts community and want to see Merri-bek identified as the leader of arts and culture across Melbourne and Victoria; and
• see the arts as a vibrant force for community cohesion and core to the celebration of diversity.

The needs and ideas that we heard through this extensive consultation have directly informed the development of this strategy, its vision, and the key priority areas.