As Director of the Ballarat Arts Academy at Federation University, Bryce Ives helps nurture and foster inspiration among the hundreds up-and-coming talent in what he calls a "centre for excellence". 

Bryce considers Ballarat a particularly special environment for creativity, as he highlights its reputation amongst artists, which is not so well known by those living in Ballarat.

He sees arts as facilitating social, health and economic benefits to a community, by providing inspiration and a change of perspective. He insists that creativity is at the core of resilient communities and that Ballarat is well place to take advantage of its arts scene.