What you shared

The community was asked to provide feedback on six creative priorities, together with our shared vision. See a summary of what you shared with us below, or read the Community Engagement Report.

Who participated

What you shared

  • First Nations leadership and cultural heritage

    49% of respondents valued opportunities to engage with First Nations cultures, highlighting inclusivity and cultural expression as essential to Ipswich’s creative identity.

  • Cultivating creative potential

    52% of respondents highlighted children’s creativity, with grassroots programs and mentorship seen as key to nurturing emerging creatives and connecting them with experienced artists.

  • Community participation and creative spaces

    26% of respondents highlighted access to council-owned venues as a key enabler, with a further 24% emphasising the creating and nurturing networking opportunities.

  • Infrastructure, spaces, and roduction constraints

    29% of respondents cited economic pressures, and 21% noted limited affordable spaces, with calls for better digital tools, expanded venues, and improved governance to strengthen the sector.

  • Growing creative industries and the local economy

    69% of respondents value seeing works by local artists, creative enterprises, and events. Additionally, 58% support linking with creative thinkers, and 54% support grassroots participation.

  • Upskilling creative people and careers

    Respondents identified key opportunities in professional development at 17%, grassroots arts support at 24%, and events and festivals at 20%. They also noted barriers such as economic pressures, public perception, and limited training pathways.

How you shared

Thank you to everyone who contributed during Phase 1 of Arts and Cultural Vision. Your input helped us understand what creativity means to Ipswich, from local talent and spaces to the role of arts and culture in building a vibrant, connected region.

The community was invited to provide feedback between 1 March and 3 April 2025 using one of the engagement channels below:

  • completing our online survey
  • attending a workshop
  • participating in a targeted engagement session
  • phone
  • email.

Through these channels, community and industry stakeholders shared ideas, themes, and priorities that will help shape a shared vision for Ipswich’s creative future.


  • 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.

  • 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.

Learn more about this project

For more information on the project, click below.