Community input sought towards future of Art Gallery of Ballarat

The Art Gallery of Ballarat is seeking community input to help shape its future.

The Art Gallery of Ballarat Strategic Plan 2023-2028 is currently being developed, and the City of Ballarat wants to consult with the public to gather information on how the Gallery can best serve the community.

A MySay page has been set up as a forum for people to give feedback by filling out a survey that is open for all community members.

The Gallery has recently concluded its Strategic Plan 2019-2022, which outlined goals to transition to a twenty-first century gallery, one that is audience-focused and firmly embedded in the local creative economy.

It is proposed the Strategic Plan 2023-2028 would go before Ballarat City Council for adoption later in 2023.

The Art Gallery of Ballarat has determined five key themes to redefine what matters most to the key stakeholders of the Gallery as part of the Strategic Plan.

The themes are as follows:

• Championing Artists
• Cultural Enrichment and Identity
• Social Impact and Inclusion
• Learning and Professional Development
• Supporting a Thriving Ballarat

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson said although there were significant disruptions and challenges throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, there was great progress in building audiences, improving access, deepening relationships and partnerships, and building the foundations for sustainable growth at the Gallery.

“Despite the many successes achieved during this period, we must continue to adapt, to listen, and to respond to audience demand and community needs,” Cr Hudson said.

“Over the first six months of 2023 we have seen an 84% growth in visitation compared to the same period in 2022, so our numbers are tracking in the right direction. Now it is time to work towards further growth into the future.

“We really do want the community to join us on this ride and I encourage as many people as possible to give us their feedback, whether you attend the Gallery on a regular basis or not.

“Over the next five years, we must also embrace and plan for once-in-a-generation opportunities such as the 2026 Victorian Commonwealth Games, which Ballarat is a host city.

“Cultural institutions such as the Gallery can play an important role in facilitating and enhancing the benefits the 2026 Games bring, through unique and engaging arts and cultural programs and acting as an anchor by which local talent, content and opportunities can be supported and showcased.”

All community members are encouraged to give feedback, ranging from regular attendees, corporate partners or even people who do not regularly visit the Gallery.

The community is encouraged to provide their feedback via an online survey that is now live on the City of Ballarat’s MySay page.

Alternatively, there will be three onsite public engagement sessions should you be planning a visit and prefer to share your feedback in person. The sessions at the Gallery will be held at the following times:

• Thursday 13 July, 2pm
• Thursday 20 July, 11am
• Sunday 23 July, 11am

The survey will remain open until 11.59pm on Sunday, 23 July. It takes approximately 5-10 minutes to complete.