Central Coast artists and practitioners of other creative industries are being called upon to have their say and shape the state’s first-ever Arts, Culture and Creative Industries policy.
Creative industry practitioners are being urged to provide written responses to the NSW Government’s recently released discussion paper, A New Look at Culture, by August 31.
The paper is seeking to understand what’s working in the arts, cultural and creative sector, what’s not and to usher in fresh ideas to help grow the sector.
“Our arts and creative industries have been through the ringer in recent years,” Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch said.
“Despite devastating disruptions – a decade of lockouts and lockdowns – they’ve kept on going and they should be commended for their resilience.
“We’re working to bring our arts and creative industries together with one policy in our bid to help grow the arts, culture and creative industries.
“We’re urging Coasties to have their voices heard on the arts.
“The creative industries make such an important contribution to our community.
“Arts and culture should be a bigger part of our story, of our local economy.
“This consultation process will ensure individuals and organisations can get involved and have their say.”
Tesch said feedback from local artists and workers would make a real difference.
“This consultation is a sound involvement,” she said.
“We know our artists and cultural sector workers don’t have time to consult just for consulting’s sake.
“We want to know your big ideas to consider.”
The discussion paper outlines three considerations for the sector to respond to including a new look at people – how to create better, more inclusive, support and pathways for practitioners in the arts, culture and creative industries.
Other considerations include a new look at infrastructure – how to create and improve sustainable access to spaces, programs and other support for all aspects of artistic and cultural activity and a new look at audiences – how to grow local, national and international audiences for cultural experiences, for the benefit of our community and the broader economy.
“We’re calling for all kinds of creatives – from novelists and performers to major arts companies here on the Coast to join the conversation and share your ideas about how to grow the sector,” Tesch said.
Interested participants can register to attend discussions which are being held online and in person at various locations across NSW.
Umina-based bassist and artistic director Zoe Hauptmann was happy to add comment to the consultation sessions.
“We’ve been ignored for so long, so it’s fantastic that the concerns of artists and creatives are being genuinely heard at these consultation sessions,” she said.
“It can only mean positive things for artists and creatives based here on the Central Coast, in the regions, in the city, right across NSW.
“These are what the cultural and creative sectors have been crying out for, for so long now. Hopefully we’ll start seeing practical outcomes taking shape by the end of the year.”
Links to the discussion paper A New Look at Culture, as well as information about how and where to provide a written, audio or video submission can be found here:https://www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/arts-culture-creative-industries-policy
Source:
Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch