Exploring arts and culture

Located in Central Victoria on the lands of the Dja Dja Wurrung, we celebrate the powerful link between Country and culture in one of the most profoundly altered landscapes in Australia.

We are custodians to mainland Australia’s oldest continuously operating theatre and the nations’ oldest and largest state arts festival. A rich legacy of Australian creativity resides in our collections and historical homes. We host intimate gigs, dance in big groups and drive around in works of art.

Our shire is recognised for its regional importance to UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network, being part of the nation’s first Creative City and Region of Gastronomy designation, led by the City of Greater Bendigo.

We are recognised nationally as a key destination for domestic arts tourism and our cultural strengths were acknowledged through the Victorian Government’s 2018 Regional Centre for Culture initiative.

For information on how Council supports arts and culture within the shire visit the Supporting our Arts page.

We are excited to open Expressions of Interest (EOI) for local artists, groups, and organisations to exhibit their works in the Phee Broadway Theatre Foyer.

Click here for more information

If you are planning a visit to our shire, sign up to the What’s On eNewsletter to find out what arts and cultural activities are coming up for visitors or check out the what's on section of our tourism website.

Council is working collaboratively with its creative community to support our collective communications efforts in helping you to access and participate in the wealth of cultural activity going on across our shire.

To find out more join us at www.getlost.org.au.

We are proud to be hosting Boorp Boorp Boondyil, an exciting exhibit in the historic Castlemaine Market Building, launching in late 2022.

Visit the Boorp Boorp Boondyil exhibit web page for more information.