Upper Lachlan Shire Council
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Upper Lachlan Shire Council Upper Lachlan Shire Council Cultural Plan 2010-2015 Upper Lachlan Shire Council Table of Contents Foreward 1 Executive Summary 2 Defining Culture 8 Vision 8 Goals 8 Cultural Values 8 Key Areas 8 Scope 9 Specifically Targeted Groups 9 Cultural Map 10 Map of the Upper Lachlan 10 Arts facilities / infrastructure (built) 11 Venues: Performances, Special Events, Conventions, Festivals & Theatre 11 Galleries and Exhibition Spaces and Artists Residencies 12 Other Cultural Facilities 13 Festivals and Special Events 14 Arts Organisations 16 Sports Infrastructure 18 Strategies 20 Council Services 21 Community Cultural Development 29 Forward Upper Lachlan Shire Council Foreward This policy was prepared by Southern Tablelands Arts (STARTS) as part of the partnership arrangement between the Upper Lachlan Shire Council and STARTS. The research was conducted by staff of Upper Lachlan Shire Council and STARTS, under the supervision of Andrew Croke, Director of Finance and Administration. Stakeholder input into this plan was provided through a community workshop, Council workshop, cultural mapping exercise and a community survey. STARTS, Upper Lachlan Shire Council, and the author wish to express their appreciation to Mr. Scott Pollock, former Manager Upper Lachlan Tourism, for his generous support and contribution to the Cultural Plan. Cultural Plan 2010 – 2015 1 Executive Summary Upper Lachlan Shire Council Executive Summary Scope of the work This is the Upper Lachlan Shire’s first Cultural Plan and as such it is a gateway to the future. It is a framework for the support and development of cultural infrastructure and activity, including strategies that support the community to grow and develop their own cultural life and identity in partnership with Council, other government and non-government service agencies. The plan is strongly linked to Council’s Management Plan, the Social and Community Plan 2007 - 2012, and the South- ern Tablelands Regional Library Management Plan and aligned with the Heritage Study, Council’s Local Environ- mental Plan (LEP) 2008, and the Community Enhancement Plan. This policy is framed under the facilitator model; a predominantly ‘hands off’ approach with the aim of creating condi- tions that favour cultural production. Its actions and responsibilities are based on its capacity to serve as a resource tool for the community, business sector and Council, as well as an important reference document for regional, state and fed- eral agencies. Trends in Cultural Planning Local Government Act 1993 In 2002 amendments were made to the Local Government Act 1993 (NSW) to state that Councils may be required to include in its Management Plan a statement on matters including social, community or cultural matters. In 2003/2004 the Department of Local Government and ArtsNSW (then known as NSW Ministry for the Arts) partnered to produce the Cultural Planning Guidelines for Local Government. However, whilst these actions are in place Councils are not legislatively required to develop plans. NSW State Government ArtsNSW is the NSW State Governments arts policy and funding body. It aims to foster a spirited arts and cultural environment, which values our artists and our heritage, which builds community, excites our imagination and inspires our future. Their priorities include: • Improving services to Indigenous communities; • Extending the ConnectEd arts education partnership with the NSW Department of Education and Training; • Closer collaboration with local and state government agencies to improve arts facilities; and • Promoting on-line access to the state’s cultural collections. The Third Cultural Accord, January 2006 - December 2008, is an agreement between the Local Government Associa- tion of NSW, the Shires Association of NSW and ArtsNSW. It recognises the significant commitment local and state government contribute to cultural development. Four agreed principles underpin the commitment, with three identified actions to be jointly implemented by all three bodies. These actions are spearheaded by the first action, which identifies Cultural Plan 2010 - 2015 2 Executive Summary Upper Lachlan Shire Council the State will provide greater support and services to local governments who are committed to service delivery through a Cultural Planning framework. Federal Government The Australia Council for the Arts (Australia Council) is the Australian Government’s arts funding and advisory body. They support Australia’s arts through funding, strengthening and developing the arts sector. The Australia Council has six strategic priority areas: 1. Artists’ income levels (improving); 2. Greater Appreciation for the Arts; 3. Business and philanthropic involvement in the arts; 4. Knowledge centre on the arts in Australia; 5. Arts content for the digital era; 6. National impact of the Australia Council. The Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) is responsible for policy and funding pro- grams. There has been only on National cultural policy, “Creative Nation”, developed in 1994. This policy is long expired and The Department has recently written a Discussion framework - Towards a national cultural policy in preparation for Australia’s second cultural policy. The discussion framework outlines ten points, with the final point reflecting the argument in Creative Nation that com- munity cultural identity and the delivery of and engagement with arts and cultural activity are not directly the responsi- bility of government. The statement reads: “Australian culture is produced by its people. The role of government is not to directly shape culture but to enable all Australians - whatever their background, beliefs and abilities - to explore and nur- ture their creativity and draw on the wealth of our culture to enrich us all.” Discussion framework - Towards a national cultural policy This similar statement appeared within the body of Creative Nation: “Few would maintain that governments can or should create cultures or national identities. The creation of Australian culture and an Australian identity has been, and will be, the work of Austra- lians themselves through what they do in their everyday lives, as communities and as individuals (whether it be as writers, workers in industry, farmers, parents or citizens)...” Creative Nation Other key areas in the Discussion framework for consideration are: 1.1.1. Wellbeing; 1.1.2. Shared values, traditions, attitudes and expressions; 1.1.3. Imbedding arts and culture in education; 1.1.4. Democratic diversity strengthened by diverse arts and cultural expression; 1.1.5. National identity; 1.1.6. Indigenous culture and arts; 1.1.7. Economic development and employment; 1.1.8. Historical preservation and future vision; 1.1.9. Technical traditions and future innovations. Cultural Plan 2010 - 2015 3 Executive Summary Upper Lachlan Shire Council The Upper Lachlan Context The Upper Lachlan Shire Council recognises the need to develop a Cultural Plan that is holistic in its approach and re- flects the current needs and future aspirations of the community. Upper Lachlan Shire Councillors appreciate the importance of culture and the arts, and hold the collective view that arts and culture: • Is a unifying force (actual and potential) across the Shire; • Is a strength in its own right - our culture is our culture and aspects should always be encouraged and pro- tected for community wellbeing; • Important to provide access within the Shire through the provision of support and resources; • Is an economic force in its own right; and • Has the capacity to generate tourist visitation. Cultural Plan 2010 - 2015 4 Executive Summary Upper Lachlan Shire Council Opportunities and Challenges Opportunities Challenges • Enhancement of the environment through • Dispersed community in lots of small towns, villages the installation of public art works. and hamlets; difficult to reach critical mass; • Close proximity to Canberra Sydney • Difficult to reach critical mass for self-supporting corridor. activity, particularly theatre and live music performances; • Regional partnerships that explore and improve across neighbouring shire activities. • Limited funds available; • Potential to attract life-stylers to the shire. • Duplication of services and infrastructure; • Access to other government fundi ng . • Retention of cultural consumption; and • Potential to engage strong links with heritage • Expectations and available level of services required that enables: cultural development; cultural by new residents. tourism; cultural industries. • Implementation of new cultural funding program. • Maintenance and development of events / festivals that have cultural tourism outcomes. Cultural Plan 2010 - 2015 5 Executive Summary Upper Lachlan Shire Council Key Recommendations The first Cultural Plan for the Upper Lachlan addresses: • The consideration of the available resources (fiscal, personnel and infrastructure) necessary for the implementation of the Cultural Plan; • The lines of responsibility in the implementation of the Cultural Plan; partnerships between community, Council, local, State and Federal agencies; • Strategies that identify needs of specific target groups who were not reached in the consultation process; • Has a focus and respect for heritage; • Links with other Council plans and actions related to infrastructure development and maintenance; and • Provides access to public places and spaces suitable for the installation of pu b l i c art and venues. Conclusion This Cultural