Informed by community and industry feedback shared during Phase 1, we’ve developed the draft Our Creative Future 2025–2035.

Phase 2 is open now and we’re inviting you to review the draft and share your thoughts to ensure it truly reflects Ipswich’s creative identity and aspirations. This is your opportunity to ‘sense check’ the vision, confirming it aligns with local values, captures what matters most, and sets a clear direction for a vibrant creative future across our region.

Consultation is open from 29 October to 10 November 2025.

Click below to read the draft or click here to have your say.

Council set out to hear from as many people as possible. To support broad participation, council offered a variety of ways for people to engage. This included an online survey open to all community members, targeted workshops with local creatives, a dedicated First Nations workshop, a session for young people and online sessions for those unable to attend in person. These platforms helped us gather insights, ideas and aspirations from across the region. In shaping the vision, council also reviewed relevant reports, research and the outcomes of past community and stakeholder engagement.

Council set out to hear from as many people as possible. To support broad participation, council offered a variety of ways for people to engage. This included an online survey open to all community members, targeted workshops with local creatives, a dedicated First Nations workshop, a session for young people and online sessions for those unable to attend in person. These platforms helped us gather insights, ideas and aspirations from across the region. In shaping the vision, council also reviewed relevant reports, research and the outcomes of past community and stakeholder engagement.

Ipswich will be a nationally recognised creative city, shaped by its people, powered by its spirit and grounded in its history.

By 2035, creativity will be central to how Ipswich grows. It will be part of everyday life, embedded in our streets, reflected in our stories and echoed in how we solve problems. It will be expressed through the ways we gather, create and connect. Arts and culture will reflect who we are: diverse, proud and unafraid to back ourselves. As one of Australia’s fastest-growing cities, Ipswich will use creativity to drive opportunity, grow our economy and bring people together. We will attract visitors who come to explore our galleries, discover our quirky venues, attend events and experience the unique cultural energy of our city. Our artists will continue to grow an international reputation for being extraordinary.

Creativity will help us build a city of imagination, inclusion and shared pride – a city of opportunity for all.

First Nations peoples have always been culture-makers and storytellers.
We will centre First Nations leadership, visibility and truth-telling in shaping our region’s creative future.

Children and young people are creators, audiences and changemakers.
We will build on Ipswich's reputation for supporting the creative expression and development of young people, to create opportunities that ignite imagination, develop their skills and connections and nurture a new generation of creative thinkers and leaders.

Creativity fosters connection, inclusion and community pride.
We will champion creative participation across neighbourhoods and generations to strengthen social bonds and support wellbeing.

Ipswich’s creative economy is powered by innovation, cultural activity and local talent.
We will champion makers, businesses and events that attract visitors, support jobs and build pride in our city.

Artists and creative industry workers bring our city to life.
We will support career pathways through collaboration, visibility and access to programs and creative spaces.

Creative practice needs spaces that are physical, digital or social.
We will activate, adapt, promote and grow the environments that support creativity, from community hubs and cultural venues to online platforms, making it easier for people to create, connect and know about opportunities across the city.