The new website promotes and supports the Grampians and Wimmera creative community.

Artists, arts and cultural organisations and venues across the region are encouraged to get involved by adding their own listing to the website.

The model is based a website first developed for the Central Highlands region, which has since been adapted for the Geelong and south west coast regions.

The Grampians-Wimmera iteration of Arts Atlas has been funded through Ararat Rural City Council, Horsham Rural City Council, Northern Grampians Shire Council and the Horsham Regional Arts Association.

The expansion of Arts Atlas into the Grampians-Wimmera region was started by former Creative Arts recovery facilitator Carolynne Hamdorf.  

Ms Hamdorf was based between Horsham Rural City and Northern Grampians councils to support communities affected by the 2014 bushfires. 

A group comprising council representatives and artists living in the Wimmera worked together to guide the project.

Moyston artist Cath Johnston, who is an active member of the Moyston Arts Group, contributed to the process as a representative of the wider Ararat region.

Geographic isolation can still be a challenge and this is where Arts Atlas can support artists in cultivating a network of peers within their own region.

Arts Atlas will serve as a source of information about the arts in the Grampians-Wimmera region.

It will also be a marketing tool for people in the creative industries to promote their services, while providing access to the resources and support they need to thrive.

Training sessions will also be arranged in the near future to introduce Arts Atlas and assist people in setting up their own profile.

Ararat Regional Art Gallery manager Anthony Camm said anyone interested in joining should contact him on 5352 2836 or at gallery@ararat.vic.gov.au