Creative industry events

As part of Council's Micro and Small Business Day event on Friday 27 June we are supporting local creative industries through a special event series for arts-focused entrepreneurs, business owners, artists and makers. 

Sign up to one or all of these events for training on how to handle your cash flow, case studies of local creative businesses and/or one-to-one mentoring on the Business Victoria Bus. 

Presented in partnership with Creative Victoria and Business Victoria. 

Generating Cash Flow for Creative Businesses

9.00am - 11.00am, Friday 27 June 
Shedshaker Brewing, The Mill, 9 Walker Street, Castlemaine

Cash flow can be unpredictable in creative industries - but it doesn’t have to be. This practical two-hour session is tailored for small creative businesses, offering strategies to manage income cycles, price your work effectively, and build financial stability. Presented by Creative Victoria in partnership with Business Victoria.

Facilitator: Adrian Jobson
Adrian has built a career around helping creative talent transform into commercial success. He is currently collaborating with a professional photographer to bring cutting-edge image technology into commercial markets. Adrian has mentored regional creatives, guiding them in developing bold, meaningful brands with strong market appeal.

Creative Business in Practice Panel Session and Tour

11.00am - 12.30pm, Friday 27 June 
Shedshaker Brewing, The Mill, 9 Walker Street, Castlemaine

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. Local creatives will share grounded case studies exploring key skills which you can then explore further in the afternoon workshops of the Micro and Small Business Day.
Presented by Mount Alexander Shire Council in partnership with Creative Victoria

Facilitator: Ruth Gormley, Senior Manager Audience Development and Sector Engagement at Creative Victoria

Panel speakers: 

Loudon Cooper – Founder of Terra Ceramics ceramics school and studio
Melissa Proposch and Kir Larwill - Creative Directors of Artpuff gallery
Lisa Major – Subgreen gallery sustainable art, design and print studio
Bridget Farmer – Printmaker and illustrator with published children’s books

45 Minute Mentoring Session on the Business Victoria Bus 

10.00m - 4.00pm, Friday 27 June 
Senior Citizen's Centre, Mechanics Lane, Castlemaine 

Whether you're planning, starting or growing your creative business, the Victorian Government's Small Business Bus can help. 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. If you can't see a date and time that suits you, click here to join the wait-list and we'll get in contact when a time becomes available. Delivered by Business Victoria in partnership with Creative Victoria. 

Facilitator: Amanda Serra 
As a small business owner and marketer, Amanda supports other small businesses to grow by advising on the best marketing strategies and tools, as well as operating in a business in the digital age. Amanda has extensive experience working with creative practitioners and creative micro-businesses ranging from visual artists to multidisciplinary artists to designers.
Focus areas: Marketing, social media, strategic marketing, micro business management, and growing small business.