Local creatives get down to business
Published on 13 June 2025
Artists, makers, creative entrepreneurs and arts-focused business owners will get a boost for their business skills at Mount Alexander Shire’s Micro and Small Business Day, happening across Castlemaine on Friday 27 June.
This free, full-day event features more than 20 practical workshops, expert panels, mentoring sessions and a vibrant business expo – all tailored to help you grow your business, build connections and stay ahead of the curve.
A special program stream has been designed especially for creative business owners and artists aspiring to make more income from their practice. In partnership with Creative Victoria and Business Victoria, the Creative Business in Practice program includes:
Generating Cash Flow for Creative Business
This practical two-hour session is tailored for small creative businesses, offering strategies to manage income cycles, price work effectively, and build financial stability.
45-minute mentoring session on the Business Victoria Bus
Creative business owners can book limited face-to-face sessions with business adviser Amanda Serra, who can discuss new business ideas, understand your capabilities and provide tangible next steps to grow your business.
Creative Business in Practice Panel Session and Tour
Join local creatives for a panel on the key elements of running a successful creative enterprise–from developing your products and services to growing your market. Then we’ll take a guided tour of visual arts businesses at The Mill to see these ideas in action. This session is curated by Mount Alexander Shire Council's Creative Industries team.
Mount Alexander Shire Council's Manager Economy and Culture, Merryn Tinkler, said: “Together with our partners at Creative Victoria and Business Victoria we’re really pleased to be creating this opportunity for creatives to develop their business skills,” said Merryn Tinkler, Manager Economy and Culture at Mount Alexander Shire Council.
Panellist Kir Larwill, Creative Director of Artpuff, said: “We work with artists to exhibit and sell their work.
“It is our business to support their businesses – through expanding audiences, creating connections between artists, or working to develop and build their arts practice.
“We're looking forward to being part of a panel that has creative entrepreneurship at its heart.”
View the Creative Business in Practice program for Micro and Small Business Day and book your place at: www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au/Explore-the-shire/Our-creative-community/Creative-industry-events
Micro and Small Business Day is hosted by Mount Alexander Shire Council, with support from Castlemaine Mail/Midland Express, Workforce Australia, Castlemaine Community House, Workspace Australia, StartUp Central Victoria and Business Mount Alexander.
Image: Loudon Cooper, Terra Ceramics.