Strategic Plan 2025-2029
Acknowledgement
We acknowledge all traditional custodians of the Mallee Region on which we live, learn and create. We acknowledge all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the first inhabitants of this land. We also acknowledge all Elders, past, present and emerging, for their care, knowledge and generosity, as custodians of the world’s oldest continuing culture.
Sovereignty has never been ceded. It always was and always will be, Aboriginal land.
Who we are
Arts Mildura is a not-for-profit arts organisation established in 1994. Since then, Arts Mildura has evolved with the changing landscape of arts practices and presence in the Mallee region and has become a crucial provider of arts awareness and promotion.
Arts Mildura is run by a team with a vast experience and knowledge in event management, mentoring, audio visual production, print making, screen and prose writing, planning, visual arts and community engagement.
The priority at the forefront of Arts Mildura is its community. Our community spanning the Mallee is diverse, including many First nations groups, people of the river and of the land, people who live in urban and rural settings, a diverse range of ethnicities and cultural heritages. Arts Mildura is committed to engaging and consulting with the entire community in the development and delivery of programming and other initiatives that reflect the diversity of the Mallee.
Arts Mildura is dedicated to supporting various community groups to achieve their goals where possible with a focus on connection and creating bonds within the community.
What we do
Through community partnerships, events, workshops, residences, mentoring and much more we aim to support creatives within our direct community and further across our region. Our creative program spans visual art, performance, music, literature and cultural development. We strive to deliver and develop relationships with artists and organisations to deliver a range of sustainable programming that reinvests in the well-being of our community and supports local businesses.
Where we live
The Mallee covers the north western part of Victoria and is bordered by the Murray River in the north (also the border with New South Wales) and the South Australian state border in the West.
Our region includes the Local Government Areas of Mildura Rural City and parts of Yarriambiack Shire, Buloke Shire and Swan Hill Rural City.
We have an incredibly rich First Nations history and a diverse population due to the successive waves of migration to the region who have traditionally participated in the region’s strong farming and agricultural economic base.
Despite our isolation, our community has a vibrant cross section of art practices with a strong community desire to grow and develop within the arts.
Our Vision
Our vision is for a Mallee where all people and communities engage in, create and enjoy art in all its forms
Our Mission
Arts Mildura is committed to empowering individuals and communities, artists and art practices throughout the Mallee to increase engagement in and exposure to art in all its forms
Our Commitment
To achieve our mission, Arts Mildura will implement our strategic plan for 2025-2029 with the following key tenets at the heart of all we do:
1. First Peoples First – our work will support, celebrate, respect and promote self-determination for First Nations people.
2. For every person in the Mallee – of all ages and for all community, the arts belong to everyone and there is a place for all people to create and enjoy art in all its forms.
3. Health and Well Being - Arts nourish both the mind and body, and we prioritise practices and events that foster stronger social connections and greater care within our communities.
4. Environmental Impact – we do our work with a deep respect for the world we live upon.
5. Working in partnership – we actively engage, consult and partner with individuals and organisations.
Our Strategic Plan - Where we are going, and how we will get there
Our strategic objectives guide us towards achieving our vision and mission. The table below outlines these objectives, along with the key strategies we will pursue to accomplish them over the course of this strategic plan.
Our Objective (Where we are going)
1. Implement an annual program of events that reflect our strategic commitment, mission and vision.
2. Create and maintain spaces that are open and inclusive to all.
3. Increase participation of people from diverse social, economic and cultural backgrounds in the arts.
By focusing on real connections, practical solutions, and a deep respect for the communities we’re engaging with, we can create an arts program that feels truly inclusive and meaningful to everyone.
4. Diversify and strengthen our partnerships.
5. Strengthen Arts Mildura’s governance and corporate systems and processes.
Strategies (How we will get there)
a. Partner with organisations and communities across the Mallee to identify and pursue projects of shared interest that align with Arts Mildura’s strategic commitment, mission and vision.
b. Foster and maintain strategic relationships with Local Government, State Government and philanthropic partners to support the work of Arts Mildura.
c. Employ and continuously review a suitably qualified staff to deliver our annual programming.
a. Develop and implement an approved Reconciliation Action Plan.
b. Develop and implement a Disability Inclusion Action Plan.
c. Develop and implement a Child Safe Organisation Action Plan.
d. Pursue accreditation against the Rainbow Tick Standard.
a. Make Events Accessible
Implement the strategies outlined in point 2, such as offering free or low-cost tickets, transport options, and ensuring physical accessibility.
b. Offer a Range of Programs
Provide workshops or exhibitions in multiple languages, including Auslan, and create programming that appeals across generations.
c. Build Trust with Communities – Engage with local groups to understand their needs and priorities, fostering collaboration with cultural organisations and community leaders.
d. Focus on Representation
Prioritise hiring staff and collaborators from diverse backgrounds and ensure the work of underrepresented artists is central to our programming.
e. Get the Word Out in the Right Places
Partner with community centres, schools, and local businesses, using culturally relevant media to reach diverse audiences.
f. Invest in Development
Run mentorship programs, workshops, and residencies to help artists and participants from diverse backgrounds thrive.
g. Think Long-Term and celebrate our journey
Make inclusion part of our DNA through internal policies, ongoing community partnerships, and regular feedback.
h. Embrace Technology
Provide live-streamed or recorded events for those who can’t attend in person, ensuring online content is accessible.
a. Work with organisations outside the arts, like those in health or environmental sectors, to create projects that bring fresh perspectives and reach new audiences.
b. Enhance accessibility as defined and set out in point 2 .
c. Support Artist-led initiatives to reach grassroots creators and empower them to connect with opportunities.
d. Engage Local Businesses such as cafes, or local producers to host pop-ups or integrate arts into everyday spaces, creating mutually beneficial promotion opportunities.
e. Build partnerships that benefit everyone by working together on projects and sharing resources.
a. Implement a quality management system and submit Arts Mildura for accreditation with a suitable set of standards such as the QIP Health and Community Services Standards or the Australian Service Excellence Standards.
b. Undertake quarterly compliance checks against our Constitutional requirements.
c. Maintain DGR Status and compliance with all aspects of Incorporation.
d. Implement a program of staff learning and development across identified corporate priorities.
