OUR COMMITMENT

To achieve our mission, Arts Mildura will deliver the 2025–2029 Strategic Plan, guided by key tenets at the heart of all we do. Each year, we will present a program of events, workshops, and residencies that brings our commitments vision to life.

1. FIRST PEOPLES FIRST

Grounded in respect for Traditional Owners, Arts Mildura is committed to uphold First Nations leadership, voices, cultural expression, and selfdetermination in all that we do.

2. COMMUNITY VOICE

Create inclusive and democratic programming and spaces where every person is empowered to participate, contribute, create, and thrive with dignity, purpose, and agency.

3. CREATIVE PARTNERSHIPS

Arts Mildura will actively collaborate with individuals and organisations through meaningful engagement, consultation, and partnership, whilebuilding capacity and strengthening the creative sector of the Mallee.

4. CARING for COUNTRY

Arts Mildura is committed to ensuring our work is grounded in respect for Country and a commitment to protecting and caring for the environment that sustains us.

5. ACCOUNTABILITY

Arts Mildura is committed to integrity, transparency, and accountability. We build trust with our community, partners, and funders through ethical governance, strong financial management, and clear reporting, ensuring our programs deliver lasting value for the Mallee.

1. FIRST PEOPLES FIRST

Embed First Nations cultural protocols, voices, and leadership across the organisation.

OBJECTIVES & STRATEGIES

Objective 1.1: Embed First Nations cultural protocols, voices, and leadership across all programming and governance.

1.1.1 Establish Arts Mildura’s First Nations Circle to develop and implement the First Nations Protocols Framework.

1.1.2 Develop and implement Arts Mildura’s First Nations Protocols Framework.

1.1.3 Invest in First Nations people, and build capacity of communities and capacity of creative work.

1.1.4 Support cultural and creative activity that delivers broad and sustainable benefits that empower First Nations communities.

1.1.5 Increase First Nations representation in the creative workforce by establishing employment targets and pathways to leadership.

1.1.6 Ensure First Nations representation on the Board.

1.1.7 Build and strengthen authentic, respectful, and reciprocal relationships with the Traditional Owners of the Mildura area.

1.1.8 Build and strengthen authentic, respectful, and reciprocal relationships with First Nations people and communities across the Mallee.

2. COMMUNITY VOICES

Create inclusive and democratic programming and spaces where every person is empowered to participate, contribute, create, and thrive with

dignity, purpose, and agency.

OBJECTIVES & STRATEGIES

Objective 2.1: Deliver a program that is accessible to diverse communities across the Mallee.

2.1.1 Implement co-design as a core approach to programming.

2.1.2 Evaluate and reduce barriers to access and participation for artists, communities and audiences.

2.1.3 Evaluate programs to inform strategies and identify gaps.

2.1.4 Invest in mentoring, workshops, and residencies to build pathways for underrepresented artists and communities.

2.1.5 Activate the Arts Mildura Lab as an accessible space for art-making, presentation, collaboration, and resource sharing.

2.1.6 Embed arts and culture in broader policy.

Objective 2.2: Invest in the creative workforce of our region.

2.2.1 Deliver a program that builds and strengthens the capacity of Mallee creative practitioners.

2.2.2 Strengthen the local creative economy by engaging Mallee artists in program delivery.

2.2.3 Increase recognition of the social and economic importance of arts and culture.

2.2.4 Facilitate shared resources, equipment, and spaces to enable community-led projects.

2.2.5 Facilitate and lead professional development and networking opportunities for the regions arts sector.

3. CREATIVE PARTNERSHIPS

Arts Mildura will actively collaborate with individuals and organisations through meaningful engagement, consultation, and partnership, while building

capacity and strengthening the creative sector of the Mallee.

OBJECTIVES & STRATEGIES

Objective 3.1 : Strengthen cross-sector collaborations to expand the role of the arts in community life.

3.1.1 Build partnerships with organisations in health, education, tourism, and the environment.

3.1.2 Partner and collaborate on joint projects that connect the arts with broader social, cultural, and economic outcomes.

3.1.3 Partner with local businesses to present events.

3.1.4 Maintain and strengthen existing relationships with all tiers of government.

3.1.5 Develop new partnerships with philanthropic organisations and foundations.

4. CARING FOR COUNTRY

Arts Mildura is committed to ensuring our work is grounded in respect for Country and a commitment to protecting and caring for the environment that sustains us.

OBJECTIVES & STRATEGIES

Objective 4.1: Reduce Environmental Impact of Operations and Events

4.1.1 Develop and implement an Environmental Sustainability Action Plan (ESAP) aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals.

4.1.2 Track and report organisational carbon footprint annually.

Objective 4.2: Embed Environmental Sustainability into Programming

4.2.1 Commission and present projects that explore climate change, sustainability, and care for Country through the arts.

4.2.2 Partner with environmental organisations, Traditional Owners, and local schools to co-deliver eco-arts workshops and creative projects.

4.2.3 Build sustainability criteria into the program development process (e.g., touring models, digital options, sustainable materials).

5. ACCOUNTABILITY

Arts Mildura is committed to acting with integrity, transparency, and accountability in all aspects of our work. We recognise our responsibility to our community, partners, and funding bodies, and we strive to build trust through ethical governance, sound financial management, and clear reporting. By upholding the highest standards of responsibility, we ensure that our programs deliver meaningful impact and long-term value for the Mallee.

OBJECTIVES & STRATEGIES

Objective 5.1: Maintain strong governance and compliance systems.

5.1.1 Provide ongoing governance training and development for Board members.

5.1.2 Ensure Board and staff operate under clear delegations of authority, policies, and codes of conduct.

5.1.3 Maintain DGR Status and compliance with all aspects of Incorporation.

5.1.4 Implement a quality management system and submit Arts Mildura for accreditation with a suitable set of standards such as the QIP Health and 5.1.5 Community Services Standards or the Australian Service Excellence Standards.

Objective 5.2: Ensure financial accountability and transparency.

5.2.1 Implement rigorous budgeting, reporting, and acquittal processes to maintain funder and community confidence.

5.2.2 Provide regular financial performance updates to the Board and publish annual reports for the community and stakeholders.

5.2.3 Diversify funding streams through ethical fundraising, philanthropy, and sponsorship.

Objective 5.3: Strengthen accountability to community, partners, and stakeholders.

5.3.1 Report regularly to community, partners, and funding bodies on program outcomes and impact.

5.3.2 Develop a stakeholder engagement plan to ensure transparent communication and ongoing consultation.

Objective 5.4: Uphold responsibility to staff and volunteers.

5.4.1 Provide a safe, supportive, and inclusive workplace environment.

5.4.2 Implement professional development plans to build staff and volunteer capacity.

5.4.3 Regularly review HR policies to align with best practice in equity, diversity, and wellbeing.

Objective 5.5: Uphold responsibility to community.

5.5.1 Provide diversity, gender equity, and cultural safety training for Board and staff.

5.5.2 Set diversity and inclusion benchmarks for Board composition and staff appointments, and review progress annually.

5.5.3 Develop mentoring and leadership opportunities to support diverse community members into governance and leadership roles.

MEASURING OUR IMPACT

Monitoring & Evaluation Framework

Arts Mildura is committed to transparency, accountability, and continuous learning. Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) enables us to demonstrate the impact of our programs, assess progress against our Strategic Plan, and ensure that our work continues to deliver cultural, social, environmental, and economic benefits for the Mallee.

This framework ensures that our five tenets are translated into measurable objectives and strategies, supported by evidence that tracks outcomes and guides improvement.

Levels of Measurement

1. Tenet Level – Strategic Impact

• Broad, long-term cultural, social, and environmental changes we contribute to.

• Example: Improved access to inclusive arts experiences across the Mallee.

2. Objective Level – Outcomes

• Medium-term achievements aligned with our objectives.

• Example: Increased participation by diverse communities in arts activities.

3. Strategy Level – Outputs

• Short-term deliverables from programs, events, and initiatives.

• Example: Number of workshops delivered at the Arts Mildura Lab.

Data Collection Tools

To ensure a balanced picture of impact, we will combine quantitative and qualitative data:

• Quantitative: participation numbers, audience demographics, financial performance, environmental metrics.

• Qualitative: participant reflections, artist case studies, community stories, staff/partner feedback.

• Benchmarking: (see following for benchmarking).

Reporting Cycle

• Bi-monthly - Staff and Board review progress against strategies.

• Quarterly – Staff and Board review progress against strategies.

• Annually – Publish outcomes in an Annual Report for community, partners, and funders.

• Mid-term Review (2027) – Assess the Strategic Plan to ensure relevance and responsiveness to community needs.

BENCHMARKING OUR WORK

WORKFORCE COMPOSITION

By 2029, 50% of all roles will be will be filled by First Nations people.

BOARD COMPOSITION

By 2029, 50% of all board positions will be will be filled by First Nations people

(10% Traditional Owners from the Mildura area).

Arts Mildura will achieve a minimum 10% year-on-year increase in audience and participant numbers.

2026 PROGRAM DELIVERY BENCHMARKS

20 Workshops delivered

5 Professional development activities delivered

10 Events delivered

10 Mallee based artsist engaged as workshop facilitators

5 First Nations artists engaged as workshop facilitators

2026 PARTICIPATION BENCHMARKS

100 First Nations peoples

60 Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities

50 Deaf/Disabled people

80 Young people

40 Older people

50 Socioeconomically disadvantaged communities

20 LGBTQIA+ people

200 Women & girls

ARTS MILDURA LAB BENCHMARK

50 Access days by creative practitioners

LOCATION of ACTIVITIES

30% Regional communities across the Mallee (excluding Mildura)