Proudly Melbourne Grown.
For decades, we’ve helped shaped Melbourne’s film, fashion, art and design movements.
Now it’s time to guide the next generation.
We discuss juicy insider knowledge and creative codes that fuel Melbourne’s innovators. Access the gems within our ecosystem.
Launching soon, our very own podcast
CREATIVE CURRENCY
With our very own Philip Boon.
One Creative Ecosystem.
We view creativity as a renewable resource.
Every skill, every project and every connection is in motion, growing collective creative capital for a stronger, more resilient industry. Instead of value draining away externally, we nurture emerging talent, preserving industry knowledge, and cultivating the mentors of tomorrow.
By minimising creative talent waste, we keep knowledge and opportunity circulating within the community, strengthening the resilience of our network.
We see this as the future of the creative industries: collaborative, regenerative, and deeply connected.
Our services aren’t separate silos. They flow into one another, keeping creative capital in motion and strengthening the entire network.
Mentorship.
Our mentors are established industry leaders — designers, filmmakers, photographers, art directors, entrepreneurs — who share their knowledge and craft with the next generation. By opening access to real-world expertise, they preserve industry knowledge and inspire new pathways into the creative industries.
Talent.
We represent a new kind of creative talent — creatives and multidisciplinary storytellers whose skills extend beyond the surface. By connecting them with brands, productions and cultural projects, we create opportunities that celebrate uniqueness, culture and artistry while cultivating the mentors of tomorrow.
Studio.
The Studio is our creative engine room. Here, emerging talent collaborate with brands, photographers, stylists, and filmmakers - building portfolios, experimenting with new ideas, and creating inspired content that drives careers forward. Every project becomes both a learning opportunity and a platform for discovery.
WELLNESS AND MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES IN THE CREATIVE INDUSTRIES
Wellness and Diversity
Wellness challenges are often compounded for individuals from minority groups, including First Nations, Jewish, and diverse immigrant communities.
First Nations and Indigenous Communities. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, well-being is holistic and deeply connected to culture, family, and land. While systemic challenges exist, culturally grounded creative practices are powerful tools for healing. Community-led initiatives, like the Tharawal Art Therapy Program, provide culturally safe spaces for expression and healing. The Aboriginal Cultural Support Program also facilitates the development of arts and cultural programs with federal funding, reinforcing the link between culture and wellness.
Jewish Communities. The Jewish community in Australia faces unique wellness challenges, partly due to the legacy of intergenerational trauma. Organisations like the Centre of Jewish Artists (COJA) and JewishCare NSW are emerging to address the specific needs of Jewish creatives, offering culturally informed support and fostering community through art.
Diverse Immigrant Communities. Immigrant artists often experience psychological distress from migration-related stressors, acculturation, and social isolation. Despite higher rates of mental health issues, many face barriers to seeking help, including cultural stigma and a lack of culturally and linguistically appropriate services. Community-based art programs are crucial in providing safe spaces for expression and connection.
A New Narrative for the Industry
The ongoing conversations and research are shifting the industry's focus from crisis response to preventative wellness. The goal is to create a culture that prioritises better work-life balance, open dialogue about mental health, and greater accountability from leadership. This collaborative effort by industry leaders signals a turning point for a healthier and more sustainable creative sector.
The Current Landscape
The creative industries in Australia face significant mental health and wellness challenges, largely due to the unique demands of the sector.
The high-pressure, competitive, and often precarious nature of the work contributes to alarmingly high rates of psychological distress and burnout.
Pervasive Distress: Over half of creative industry workers surveyed by Support Act in 2024 reported high or very high levels of psychological distress (53.5%), which is more than triple the rate of the general Australian population (15%).
Burnout: The 2024 Mentally Healthy Survey found that a staggering 70% of professionals in media, marketing, and creative fields have experienced burnout in the past year. This is significantly higher than the national average for all Australian workers (53%).
Financial Instability: Financial insecurity is a major stressor. Almost one-fifth (19.6%) of creative workers surveyed reported a total annual income below the poverty line.
Initiatives and Support
In response to these issues, several organizations have been established to provide support and advocate for change.
Screen Well: This initiative, founded by actor Ben Steel, is a key driver of the Mental Health Action Plan for the Australian screen industry. It focuses on preventative actions, workplace support, and addressing issues like bullying.
Support Act: This organisation offers the Support Act Wellbeing Helpline—a free, 24/7 confidential counselling service for anyone in the creative industries. They also provide crisis relief grants and mental health first aid training.
The Arts Wellbeing Collective: This initiative, led by Arts Centre Melbourne, provides valuable resources for creating psychologically safe workplaces.
