The Andrews Labor Government is creating jobs in regional Victoria and working to protect gallery and museum collections as part of the Working for Victoria initiative.

Minister for Employment Jaala Pulford today visited the Art Gallery of Ballarat to announce 20 jobseekers will be employed across 13 regional galleries and museums to assist with digitising collections and curation.

The six-month roles will be advertised over the next week and offer hands-on experience to people in regional communities who have lost their job and are keen to pursue careers in the creative and cultural sector.

The Art Gallery of Ballarat is one of Australia’s oldest and largest regional art galleries and will recruit local jobseekers to work with specialist conservators, digital photographers and gallery staff to digitise thousands of artworks and historical objects.

Three workers will be employed in the Hamilton, Wangaratta and Bairnsdale regions to provide on-the-ground expertise to small community museums, from exhibition and collection management to professional development and digital promotion.

Two project managers will join the team at the Australian Museums and Galleries Association Victoria to support and coordinate the regional worker roles.

The program is a partnership between Working for Victoria and Creative Victoria and will be delivered in collaboration with the Australian Museums and Galleries Association Victoria.

Ararat Gallery TAMA, Benalla Art Gallery, Bendigo Art Gallery, Castlemaine Art Museum, Geelong Art Gallery, Hamilton Art Gallery, Horsham Regional Art Gallery, Latrobe Regional Gallery, Mildura Arts Centre, Shepparton Art Museum, Wangaratta Art Gallery and Warrnambool Art Gallery will also benefit from this program.

Since launching in April the Working for Victoria initiative has created more than 11,000 jobs. For more information on these job opportunities go to amagavic.org.au, and to register for Working for Victoria go to vic.gov.au/workingforvictoria

Quotes attributable to Minister for Employment Jaala Pulford

“We’re helping creative workers get back to work in regional communities and supporting public galleries and museums to protect their collections for future generations.”

“Working for Victoria has provided an important leg-up for thousands of people in a very tough year while producing real benefits for the wider community.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Creative Industries Danny Pearson

“We’re proud to deliver job opportunities in the creative sector for regional Victorians, while also supporting the important work of regional galleries and museums – it’s a win-win.”

“These new jobs will bring vital support and skills to some of Victoria’s most treasured regional galleries and museums as they continue to open up for visitors.”