Memberts of the New England arts and creative sectors are being asked to provide their views to help guide the establishment of the first all-encompassing Arts, Culture and Creative Industries Policy for NSW.

More than 40 artists, creative industry practitioners, musicians and passionate audience members came together in Tamworth today to share their invaluable insights and ideas as part of a series of discussions across NSW on propelling the state’s arts, culture and creative industries forward.

The Tamworth Town Hall was one in a series of in-person and online consultations being held across regional NSW and Greater Sydney to discuss fresh ideas and identify pressure points and barriers faced by the arts, culture, and creative industries, with the NSW Government also calling for written, video or audio submissions before 31 August.

Throughout July and August, the NSW Government is hitting the road to engage with the sector at several in-person town hall events to be held across Greater Sydney and regional NSW, in addition to online meetings.

To guide the conversation, the NSW Government has released its discussion paper, A New Look at Culture with three considerations for the sector to respond to:

• A new look at people: How can we create better, more inclusive support and pathways for practitioners in the arts, culture and creative industries?  
• A new look at infrastructure: How can we create and improve sustainable access to spaces and programs for all aspects of artistic and cultural activity?  
• A new look at audiences: How can we grow local, national and international audiences for cultural experiences for the benefit of our community and the broader economy?   

To read the discussion paper, register to attend the town hall and submit your feedback, visit www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/arts-culture-creative-industries-policy

Minister for the Arts, John Graham said:

“For the first time in a decade, the Government is writing a new strategy to support and guide growth across our arts, culture and creative industries and we are calling on the artists, creative industry practitioners, musicians, and passionate audience members to tell us what you think. What’s working? What’s not working? What are the big, bold ideas for the future?

“This consultation is an important opportunity for the sector to participate in the discovery of a new culture for this state, to identify community-specific issues, share lived experiences and offer ideas and solutions to bring the cultural economy to life.

“This strategy will prioritise this important sector, the source of 9 per cent of jobs across Greater Sydney, and on a good night, the source of all our entertainment. It should be a bigger part of our state’s story, our economy and sense of itself.

“The NSW Government is focused on propelling the state forward to grow the arts, culture, and creative industries, and position the sector as a larger part of our state’s story, economy and identity.

“We’re inviting all practitioners who are engaged in NSW’s traditional arts and cultural sector as well as the broader creative sector including screen, design, fashion, architecture, food and other creative industries to contribute their valuable insights.”

Shadow Minister for the Arts and Heritage Kevin Anderson MP said:

“It’s great to have the Minister in Tamworth leading these discussions and listening to the lived experience of artists and creatives from across our region,” Mr Anderson said.

“Arts, cultural and creative industries are so critical to a healthy, thriving Tamworth community, and I know local stakeholders will make important contributions to the discussion into the future of those industries.

“The conversations had in Tamworth today will be heard by those who make the policy decisions that affect the industry day in, day out. It’s important that we have a say in the discovery of a new culture for this state, because I know stakeholders in our community can identify barriers to growth, and their lived experience will play an important role in breaking new ground for a stronger art, cultural and creative industry.

“I want our voice heard loud and clear which is why I’m encouraging those who couldn’t attend today’s policy discussion to get involved and have your say through the online feedback form.”