South West Local Learning and Employment Network has been awarded a $20,000 Regional Arts Fund Project grant.

Its project 'South West Mini MESS' will bring the Melbourne Electronic Sound Studio's collection of iconic synthesisers to the Fletcher Jones Factory site for a week-long masterclass in electronic sound in Warrnambool.

The centrepiece is a 10-day residency which will include practical workshops and professional development, performance and a lecture series.

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South West LLEN executive officer Emily Lee-Ack said the project would have a big impact on artists, audiences and the broader community.

"For artists in residence, it is an opportunity to collaborate on a new work which responds to their community of origin, creating a lasting art work which connects landscape and community," she said.

"For young people and schools, it is an opportunity to inspire young people interested in pursuing music, creative industry and/or STEM employment pathways.

"It is the first step in the development of an ongoing program to connect artists and community members to opportunities both in Warrnambool and in Melbourne, an annual program of reciprocal infrastructure and mentoring that evolves with and responds to the needs and interests of the community."

Workshops will be led by MESS and One Day Studios Staff, with local composers Gus Franklin and Leah Senior hoping to return to support the project.

Ms Lee-Ack said the value of Australia's creative industries were yet to be realised.

"The creative industries are traditionally misunderstood and misrepresented within Australian culture," she said.

"We know that there is significant interest from students in our region to pursue creative careers, but there isn't necessarily always the opportunity locally to put that into action.

"We know that across the country there are a multitude of career paths, with plenty of opportunities to 'fall forward'.

"If we learn to see the value of the creative industries and their impact on our daily lives, we can open up a wealth of jobs and educational opportunities in our region."

The south-west region holds a special place within creativity and innovation.

For example, the oldest musical recording in Australia was recorded in Timor Street.

Some time later, the lyrics for Waltzing Matilda were penned here, and later still Shane Howard and Archie Roach would change the world with their own Aussie anthems, 'Solid Rock' and 'Took the Children Away' respectively.

"We're home to some of the country's finest performers, musicians, photographers and writers," Ms Lee-Ack continued.

"It's sometimes astonishing to think just how often you're watching or listening to a Great South Coast creative, maybe without even realising it.

"We know that young people here will be part of that ongoing tradition, and continue to take our creativity and stories to the world."

In 2020, with the release of the Creative Industries Strategy for Great South Coast, a series of opportunities were identified for the development of the creative industries in the region.

The strategy prioritised the need for increased participation in the arts by young people, as a career, education and wellbeing imperative.

"There are no locally delivered undergraduate level courses now available in the Great South Coast in music, and we need to ensure that the pathways for musicians, composers and allied industry staff continue to be provided here, so that we can ensure those opportunities for young people," Ms Lee-Ack said.

"The music industry, and all creative industries, need a range of ways to learn, to grow and to develop networks: we need to be sure that these aren't left to the design of individuals, but are part of a system to support careers. This project is an important part of that work".

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