Join Regional Arts Victoria and partners for an inspiring evening of connection, celebration and wisdom-sharing at May’s Creative Social, a networking event designed for southwest creatives, changemakers and collaborators!

This informal mixer is a chance to build networks, hear from locals behind successful projects, and pick up some real-world tips on how they funded their big ideas.

We’re shining a light on local creative projects that have successfully come to life – and hearing directly from the people behind them about how they made it happen. Expect practical insights into funding and fundraising, real-world learnings from local makers and doers, and plenty of inspiration for turning your own creative ideas into action.

Why join us?

Hear stories from successful projects and the people behind them, including the locals shaking up the Warnibald, taking over Sidney Myer Music Bowl and leading Warrnambool’s newest sculpture, alongside learnings from the start-up sector.

Gain bite-sized advice on funding your next creative idea, from how to smash your fundraising targets and where to look for grants, to how to negotiate sponsorships, in-kind support and investment.

Enjoy stories and songs by Lian Husi Timor in collaboration with Billy Barker, and by musicians from Find Your Voice Collective.

WIN a bespoke support package including 1:1 mentoring and $1,000 to help you develop your creative idea into an impactful project.

Meet people who can support your ideas, from industry experts, Council staff and local movers and shakers to business owners, potential partners and funders.

Enjoy catering by A Passionate Pear and a complimentary drink in your ‘pay what you feel’ ticket - booking essential!

💗

Thanks to Fletcher Jones Family Foundations’ generous support, this event is a celebration of our region’s creative talent and a platform for sharing knowledge, building networks, and imagining what’s possible when we back local ideas.

Whether you’re an artist, creative worker, producer, community volunteer, funder, or someone passionate about the arts, this is your chance to gather, share stories, and strengthen our region’s creative ecosystem.

This event is delivered as part of the South West Creative Industries Strategy, a partnership initiative to support the sector across Corangamite, Glenelg, Moyne, Southern Grampians and Warrnambool. Learn more at www.rav.net.au/swcis.

---

Networking & nibbles starts 5.30-6pm
Registrants receive name badge & drink token on arrival
Event starts 6pm - Welcome to Country, stories & songs, quick-fire wisdom-sharing & support package giveaway then networking to 8.30pm

---

This is one of a series of events designed to connect communities to funding, skills and each other being delivered across the region by partners involved in the Strategy – visit facebook.com/RAVsouthwest to see what’s on!

CALENDAR:
May 5/6/7 – Workshops – Grant Writing - Corangamite Shire Council
May 20 – Info Night - Community Development Fund - Warrnambool City Council
May 27 – Networking Event - 5 Things I’ve Learnt About... Funding - Regional Arts Victoria
June 11 - Networking Event / Consultation - South West Connect - La Mama Theatre
June 25 – Placemaking Event - Cheers & Ideas – Warrnambool City Council

---

The Creative Social will take place in the Lighthouse Theatre Foyer, Warrnambool, Eastern Maar / Gunditjmara Country - see Map.

Car: See www.lighthousetheatre.com.au/parking for nearby options, including street parking on Liebig Street, Timor Street, Gillies Street, Merri Street and Cannon Hill, and off-street parking behind the Art Gallery or in the Ozone carpark. Car-pooling encouraged!
Train: Catch a VLine Train to The Warrnambool Railway Station. The train station is a 10 minute (700m) walk to the Lighthouse Theatre – see map.
Bus: The closest bus stop is at South West TAFE on Kepler Street. Please find a Google Maps link for bus options arriving at 6PM here.
Access: Accessible parking is available in part of the loading zone on Timor Street and on surrounding streets, with ramp to access the main entry of the building and into the Foyer,

Please contact us with any specific access needs and find out more about venue accessibility at lighthousetheatre.com.au/accessibility