Background

Located on the lands of the Jagera, Yuggera, and Ugarapul people, the City of Ipswich boasts a rich tradition of arts and culture. With key institutions like the Ipswich Art Gallery and Ipswich Civic Centre, alongside a vibrant creative sector, arts and culture are central to the city’s identity and liveability.

Despite ongoing social, environmental, and economic challenges affecting the sector, there is a clear need for an inclusive and adaptable long-term vision.

To help shape this vision, we invite artists, creative industry professionals, musicians, performers, creative organisations and members of the community to share their insights. The feedback collected will be crucial in defining the arts and culture landscape in Ipswich for the next decade.

Phase One

Phase One Community Engagement – 1 March to 3 April 2025.

Through two in-person workshops, a community-wide survey, email submissions, and targeted engagement with local arts and culture stakeholders, the community was asked to provide feedback to help shape the city’s creative future.

This inclusive approach sought to capture a broad spectrum of perspectives, from everyday residents to industry professionals, gathering rich insights, lived experiences, and innovative ideas. These contributions are forming the foundation of a vibrant and forward-thinking Arts and Cultural Vision for Ipswich, a city of opportunity for all.


The community was invited to share feedback and ideas to help shape the future of arts and culture in Ipswich as part of the Arts and Cultural Vision project. Below is a summary of what you told us during phase one, or read the full report.

Phase One

What you shared

The community was invited to share feedback and ideas to help shape the future of arts and culture in Ipswich as part of the Arts and Cultural Vision project. Below is a summary of what you told us, or read the full report.


  • 78% of respondents shared that they work in the arts, cultural sector, or creative industries (paid or unpaid).

  • The majority of respondents shared that they engage most with Visual Arts and Craft, and Museums and Galleries, closely followed by Music, Performing Arts, and Public Art.

  • 78% of respondents indicated that their arts or cultural practice or organisation regularly creates and/or presents work in Ipswich, while 22% do not.

  • 78% of respondents expressed moderate to high confidence (three stars or more) that arts and culture in Ipswich will be well positioned to take advantage of the 2028 Cultural Olympiad and the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.

  • 84% of respondents rated council's support for arts and culture at three stars or higher on a five-star scale.

How you shared

Community could submit their feedback for phase one of this project between 1 March and 3 April 2025 using one of the engagement channels below:

  • Shape Your Ipswich
  • Two in-person workshops
  • Targeted engagement with local arts and culture stakeholders
  • Phone
  • Email

Online engagement activities can be seen below.

Other ways to have your say

  • Targeted engagement sessions

    Two targeted engagement sessions were held: an in-person collaborative workshop at Springfield Library on 26 March 2025, and an online workshop on 3 April 2025

  • Email

    Have your say by emailing the Creative Industries Development Team at creative.industries@ipswich.qld.gov.au between 1 March 2025 and 5 May 2025.

    Email the team today 

  • In person

    Three in-person feedback sessions were held at the Creators' Summit on 1 March 2025. Thank you to everyone who visited and shared their thoughts.

Phase Two

Phase Two Community Engagement – 6 May to 18 May 2025.

Phase Two of the engagement for the Arts and Cultural Vision is all about checking back in with the community. Building on the ideas, insights, and experiences shared during Phase One, we’ve developed a draft Arts and Cultural Vision that reflects the voices of Ipswich.

Now, we’re coming back to ask: did we get it right? Through follow-up workshops, community touchpoints, and online feedback opportunities, we’re inviting residents, creatives, and industry stakeholders to ‘sense check’ the draft, ensuring it aligns with local values, captures what matters most, and sets a clear direction for a vibrant arts and cultural future in Ipswich.

Have your say