2016

ANNUALCONNECTING COMMUNITY & CULTURE REPORT Image, Creative Industries Expo CONTENTS

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT 2 INTRODUCTION 3 REGIONAL INITIATIVES & PARTNERSHIPS 5 ACHIEVING STATE AND REGIONAL PRIORITIES 8 LOCAL PRIORITIES & PROJECTS 9 COMMUNICATIONS 10 GOVERNANCE 11 OUR BOARD 14 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

This time last year, I wrote that I was “looking forward with Government elections (for those councils not amalgamated) optimism to a challenging and innovative year”. After reading gave us several new Board members, to whom a very warm this annual report I think you will agree that 2016 has indeed welcome is extended. Their challenges are to move into our been challenging and innovative. While we could have done creative and supportive Arts MNC “family” while bringing their without some of our challenges, we dealt with them and own style and fresh ideas. achieved some great results. We appreciate the support from our major funding organisation, The Mid North Coast is certainly now recognised as a vibrant and Arts NSW. We also acknowledge the contributions made by our diverse region. We continue to grow in the areas of social media, participating councils. We know that 2017 will be a particularly community networking, online marketing, building partnerships challenging one for all NSW councils, and we sincerely thank our and audience participation; all detailed in this report. Our member councils who recognise the importance of creativity and fortnightly e-newsletter, Arts Blast, continues to increase culture here on the Mid North Coast. its readership and subsequent community engagement. In particular, there are a number of exciting new projects serving I must include a very brief but heartfelt thank you to our the interests of the region which I am sure you will find inspiring. wonderful team, Kevin, Denise, John, Stephanie and Mark. Finally I leave you with a favourite quote from Beethoven: Last May saw many local government Amalgamations across the state, with two of our southernmost councils – Greater Taree, “Strive with all your might towards the unattainable. and Great Lakes being joined with Gloucester (formerly in the Upper Hunter Regional Arts). This amalgamation presented Develop as fully as you can the gifts that you have been given many challenges, but true to form, our fearless ED rose to that and never stop learning.” challenge and we now already have strong links with our very creative Gloucester friends and are working on extending our May we accept the challenges that 2017 gives us with already strong and unified organisation. enthusiasm and creativity.

During the year we said farewell to Board members, Anna Leigh Vaughan Shields Jay Beaumont Margie Kirkness Paula Flack, Rodney Degens and Trevor Sargeant. We thank them most sincerely President, Arts Mid North Coast Inc. for their positive contributions to creativity on the Mid North Coast and wish them well in their new endeavours. The Local

2 ANNUAL REPORT 2016 Wingham Akoostik Music Festival ARTS MID NORTH COAST

Arts Mid North Coast is the peak OUR VISION 4. To encourage and support regional regional arts and cultural development arts, creative industries and cultural The Mid North Coast, a vibrant, organisation for the mid north coast development planning to provide diverse region embracing the creation, region of New South Wales. The region leadership to ensure positive understanding and appreciation of the embraces six Councils: Mid Coast, outcomes for local, community and arts in fostering economic, community, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Kempsey, regional initiatives. cultural and environmental opportunities Nambucca, Bellingen and Coffs Harbour and benefits. and embraces the area associated 5. To be a dynamic, effective, accountable and sustainable with the Woromi, Biripi, Dunghutti and OUR MISSION Gumbaynggirr Nations. With 305,000 Regional Arts Board utilising relevant residents it is one of NSW’s most Arts Mid North Coast, the region’s peak best practice technology and skills to populous regions with a remarkable arts organisation collaborates with promote and achieve excellence diversity of creative activity and industry. individuals, communities, organisations, government and business to build Our work is shaped by a wide range Arts Mid North Coast receives triennial capacity and create opportunities. of factors reflecting the particular core funding from the NSW State characteristics of our region, our Government through Arts NSW OUR GOALS resources, our stakeholders and broader supplemented with annual financial 1. To generate increased opportunities policies and strategies that seek to contributions from each of our Councils. for access, participation, training and increase the capacity of the artists One of 14 Regional Arts Development education. and creatives within our region and to Organisations throughout New South showcase their work and value. Wales this network plays an important 2. To generate increased awareness advocacy role for regional issues and with of creative and cultural activity and While much of our work builds and strong links to Regional Arts NSW further opportunities. consolidates our knowledge and extends the value to our Councils, artists experience to be shared this Annual and creative professionals. 3. To develop and foster strategic Report highlights the specific projects and partnerships, projects and networks initiatives undertaken in 2016 that benefit communities and the region.

ANNUAL REPORT 2016 3 4 ANNUAL REPORT 2016 REGIONAL INITIATIVES & PARTNERSHIPS

CREATIVE PATHWAYS CREATIVE COAST - CULTURAL TRAILS CULTURAL TOURISM Creative Pathways is a one stop online Our Cultural Trails now features over 430 Our innovative Cultural Trails and Creative resource which features the full range cultural experiences with links to another Coast features ensures a synergy with of tertiary study options and pathways 300 events and the active promotion our regional tourism partner, North available for students who wish to of these across a number of platforms Coast Destination Network, and its undertake or further their studies in the to highlight the Mid North Coast as a major marketing tool, the Legendary arts or creative industries without having vibrant and cultural destination. There is Pacific Coast. As a partner Creative to leave the Mid North Coast. It provides no other set of cultural trails so extensive Coast features in their Legendary all relevant information from Southern other than those for the State of Victoria, Pacific Coast Touring Guide and other Cross University, Charles Sturt University including Melbourne. The number of regional marketing. In 2016 in addition and North Coast TAFE and cross Trails increased to 13 in 2016 with the to sponsoring the North Coast Tourism references by all campuses in the region. addition of a Recycled Art Trail. Awards we developed with Port Macquarie Museum the presentation OUR RIVERS - OUR HISTORY CREATIVE COAST - CREATIVE material for the gala awards night with the COMMUNITIES This collaborative project with the Mid theme, 165 Years of Tourism. The role of North Coast Chapter of Museums We have designated a number of Creative Arts Mid North Coast in cultural tourism Australia was launched in April 2015. This Communities of the Mid North Coast also saw us named a finalist in the 2016 online exhibition highlights the history of that further brings to the attention of NSW Tourism Awards. This focus ensures the Manning, Camden Haven, Hastings visitors unique and different destinations that arts and cultural activities have a and Macleay Rivers. A series of river trail where culture is at the heart of vibrant strong presence in the experiences that guides also link the project to cultural communities offering much to the both domestic and international tourists tourism opportunities. The project won visitor. In 2016 this number increased are seeing as part of the many reasons Gold at the Museums and Galleries NSW to eight with the addition of Sawtell and to visit the Mid North Coast thereby IMAGinE Awards in late 2015 and a 2016 Gloucester. increasing the opportunities for our Museums & Galleries National Award. artists and creative businesses. It is also featured as one of three cases studies in the major Arts NSW 2016 publication, A Cultural Tourism Toolkit.

ANNUAL REPORT 2016 5 REGIONAL INITIATIVES & PARTNERSHIPS CONT’D

HELLO KOALAS SCULPTURE TRAIL staged in both Bellingen and Coffs Coast Tourism Award for Local Harbour. Our partnership ensured Festivals. Arts Mid North Coast has continued to filmmakers and speakers were able advise this imaginative public art project to attend and present at workshops Development work was also undertaken developed by Arts and Health Australia and Q&A sessions to further enhance in 2016 for our major event to be held in on its expansion in 2016 and further the event. August 2017, Opening Our HeARTS. This developments to be launched in 2017. will see artist studios, commercial and The multi-award winning projects has • [REC] Ya Shorts Youth Film Festival. community galleries and arts spaces in secured national and international media This event across a number of our cafes and restaurants opened over one attention. Seventy percent of the designs Local Government Areas focuses on August weekend in a co-ordinated Festival have been created by artists across the workshops for young film makers across the region. Mid North Coast who have secured a and public screening of their work. range of commissions and other work A GROWING SCREEN CULTURE opportunities from the exposure of their • AMNC partnered with ETC Ltd to In response to a more active role for koalas on the sculpture trail. stage the Creative Industries Forum Arts Mid North Coast in 2017 in the film in Kempsey. This saw a day of noted and screen sector of the arts a new Film REGIONAL EVENTS speakers as well as displays by section was added to our website in late creative businesses. Linked to the cultural tourism market 2016. This highlights its heritage and the are major events that further position increasing screen culture in the region. • Frugal Forest. This exhibition made the importance of arts and culture to Industry development elements will be entirely of recycled waste continues the region and local economies. Arts added in 2017. Mid North Coast works with many to tour the region and beyond. We event organisers not only promoting continued to support with advice on their events through our various management, funding and long term communication platforms but assistance sustainability. It also inspired our with planning and advice. Events of note Recycled Art Trail. in 2016 were: • Wingham Akoostik Music Festival • Screenwaves International Film continues to grow and achieve Festival. This three week event was success winning the 2016 North

6 ANNUAL REPORT 2016 RESEARCH & POLICY Arts Mid North Coast acknowledges the importance of research so as to shape our understanding of issues and opportunities involved in the arts and creative industries. Two major projects were commissioned in 2016 to be published in early 2017. The first draws together successful case studies in Australia where community halls owned by Councils have been devolved to community arts groups. The second project in association with Charles Sturt University will provides us with a valuable resource base of Australian research on the economic value of arts and culture to local and/or regional economies. Arts Mid North Coast also made submissions to a NSW Parliamentary Enquiry into the organisation, structure and funding of museums and galleries in NSW. REGIONAL INITIATIVES & PARTNERSHIPS

School of Hard knocks Choir ANNUAL REPORT 2016 7 ACHIEVING STATE AND REGIONAL PRIORITIES

Create NSW – NSW Arts and Cultural bodies. It is also now a partnership Choir of Hard Knocks in Melbourne, Policy Framework was released in 2015 between the Biripai Land Council, by Jonathon Welch. This encourages as the first State Plan for arts and culture. National Parks & Wildlife Service, Arts Mid through participation in the choir new It has strong policies and actions for North Coast, Charles Sturt University and skills and social engagement for those Regional NSW. Our subsequent Strategic Regional Development Australia – Mid with disabilities or other factors of Plan integrating the arts with the visitor North Coast. social isolation. The choir had its first industry, economic development and major concert with Jonathon Welch in creative industries is consistent the AGEING November 2016. This project is led by the overall approach noted in that Policy Our population is characterised by a high Port Macquarie Community College. Framework. However our work also meets proportion of people aged over the age a number of the funding priority areas of 60, (32% of the population). In terms identified by Arts NSW for regional NSW. of this demographic the Mid North Coast is what Australia will be in 10 years with ABORIGINAL all the inherent challenges needing to Our region has 7.1% of the State’s be met now. In 2016 we again partnered indigenous population compared with with Arts and Health Australia to present 4% for the State population. While the The Big Chat, the only conference in the primary responsibility for developing region on creative ageing with speakers aboriginal culture in the region rests with from around Australia. This will again take Saltwater Freshwater representing ten place in 2017 with Arts Mid North Coast local Land Councils AMNC contributes expanding it to a regional Creative Ageing where opportunities arise. In November Festival. AMNC also assisted in the staging 2015 facilitated a workshop at Sea of workshops by UK Creative Ageing Acres National Park on ways to develop specialist, Chris Gauge. sustainable events and activities showcasing aboriginal culture. This DISABILITY project continued throughout 2016 In 2016 we were involved on the Steering and has now reached the stage of the Committee of the formation of the School development of a Three Year Business of Hard Knocks in Port Macquarie. This Plan to be presented to various funding is the first regional project of the original

8 ANNUAL REPORT 2016 LOCAL PRIORITIES & PROJECTS

FACILITATING CULTURAL These were: Lakeside Festival, Opera SmartART DEVELOPMENT by the Lake, Kempsey District Silver Recognising the value of digital Band. Heart and Soul Foundation (Coffs A key role of Regional Arts Boards is to technology as the way forward in Harbour) and Afrekete Cuban Festival assist Councils and the community where delivering information and training we (Coffs Harbour). Over our three year possible with the preparation of strategic created in 2014 a new section to our contract period with Arts NSW CASP cultural planning documents. These are website, SmartART. This provides an grants to the region bring the total of the essential foundations from which ever changing and updated repository State funding provided to the region to so many other initiatives can develop. of information and tools to increase more than half a million dollars. In 2016 Arts Mid North Coast made the business skills and capacity of the submissions on the draft Port Macquarie GRANTS ADVISORY SERVICE artists and creative professionals in our Hastings Cultural Plan and the Coffs community. New categories added in Coast Tourism Plan (in relation to cultural Arts Mid North Coast encourages and 2016 were Cultural Tourism, Policy & tourism.) Both resulted in important supports artists and community groups Research and Live Music. changes to the draft plans when finalised. in seeking funding under a wide range Our 2017 Plan has a priority of reviewing of grant programs delivered by State all relevant strategic plans that come up and Federal Government and other for review during the year to ensure they philanthropic organisations. In 2016 over best reflect and support cultural assets 45 grants and other opportunities were and opportunities. brought to the attention of those in the region. We also review and advise on COUNTRY ARTS SUPPORT applications as well as provide letters of PROGRAM (CASP) support. Thirty one individuals or groups were assisted with grant applications in The Country Arts Support Program of 2016. The diversity of funding sought Regional Arts NSW (CASP) delivers on included from: Regional Arts Fund, behalf of Arts NSW funding to a range Festivals Australia, Clubsgrant NSW, of community based organisations, art Arts NSW (various programs), Regional forms and activities across the region. In Flagship and the Australia Council. 2016 five local projects were successful in securing this funding for 2017.

The Big Chat ANNUAL REPORT 2016 9 COMMUNICATIONS

No matter where residents or visitors are awards opportunities. A 2016 survey of SPECIAL FEATURES in the region or whatever their interest users showed high levels of satisfaction During 2016 we also produced several in the arts our varied communication with the newsletter and a preference special event features. Our Summer platforms deliver the latest information for news of events. This must still be Holiday Guide for Kids showcased 32 across the region and beyond. balanced with our need to inform artists events supplementing our Top Ten of relevant opportunities and professional Picks for Summer feature. Another ONLINE MARKETING news. was produced for Seniors Week, all In 2016 Arts Mid North Coast continued SOCIAL MEDIA showcasing events across the region. to enhance and expand its regional arts portal, www.artsmidnorthcoast.org The Arts Mid North Coast has become very site provides a comprehensive one-stop active on social media. We now have 2 shop for artists and audiences across Facebook pages, (Arts Mid North Coast the region. The site offers mapping and and Creative Coast) and are using Twitter search capabilities, making it simple and Instagram. With more than 500 to locate specific tools, events and postings over the year our social media organisations online. The online Events reach has greatly expanded with engaged Calendar promoted more than 300 uses up 84 percent. Likes to the AMNC events. The site also links to a wide range Facebook increased 64 percent and of relevant external information. During to the Creative Coast Facebook by 54 the year the website Showcase featured percent over 2016. more than 200 major stories and hits to the website increased 37 percent ABC RADIO In 2016 we began a weekly spot with ARTS BLAST ABC Mid North Coast and Coffs Coast Our e-bulletin, Arts Blast is now delivered Radio highlighting arts events in the every fortnight to over 1200 subscribers. region. These stations reach a high The newsletter contains a large range listening audience for adults in the region of vital information and links to cultural especially those aged over 40. news and events plus training, grants and

10 ANNUAL REPORT 2016 GOVERNANCE

RELATIONSHIP WITH LOCAL FINANCIAL REPORTING GOVERNMENT Arts Mid North Coast has a strong record Following a review by Arts NSW of all of a fiscal control achieving again in 2016 Regional Arts Boards Arts Mid North a balanced budget with some savings Coast took steps in 2016 to implement transferred to 2017 approved projects. a range of actions to refresh and better Although no longer a legal requirement define our relationship with our local to do so but to show good faith with our government partners. This included partners and stakeholders a full set of the drafting of a new Memorandum of accounts for the financial year will be Understanding, a process to identify audited and available for our AGM in May regional priorities and new channels of 2017. communication and reporting. Major steps were also taken to draft a new PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Constitution and to review and increase With the generous support of one off the Councils rate of contributions. The funding from Arts NSW to all RADOs for name of the regional bodies was also professional development Arts Mid North changed to Regional Arts Development Coast was able to implement a detailed Organisations (RADOs) supporting our program of training. Staff undertook regional and strategic role. courses and workshops in social media trends, design skills, change management Other external changes also impacted and measuring cultural planning our operation. Local government outcomes while the Board undertook a amalgamations resulted in the merger major workshop on how they could best of two of our Councils (Great Lakes and enhance and contribute to the work of Greater Taree) and the addition to them the RADO. of Gloucester to form the new Mid Coast Council. Gloucester Council was formerly in the area of Arts Upper Hunter. This increased both the size of our region and its population.

ANNUAL REPORT 2016 11 OUR BOARD

As noted in our Presidents message the BOARD MEMBERS RETIRING MEMBERS June 2016 AGM saw a number of Board Councillor John Arkan (Dec 2016) & Sian Jay Beaumont (June 2016) members retire either from that time Nivison FOCUS Magazines or August in the lead up to the local Coffs Harbour Council government elections. The list below is Councillor Rodney Degens (Aug 2016) the AMNC Board as at its December 2016 Councillor Mark Baxter (Dec 2016) Coffs Harbour City Council meeting. Kempsey Shire Council Councillor Paula Flack (Aug 2016) President Sonia Fingleton Nambucca Shire Council Leigh Vaughan North Coast Destination Network MidCoast Council Margie Kirkness (Aug 2016) Councillor Susan Jenvey (Dec 2016) & Greater Taree City Council Vice President Councillor Anne Smythe (Dec 2016) Nyaree Donnelly Nambucca Shire Council Councillor Trevor Sargeant (Aug 2016) Great Lakes Creative Network Port Macquarie Hastings Council Councillor Steve Klipin (Feb 2016) Treasurer & Public Officer Bellingen Shire Council Lester Searle (June 2016) David Quinn North Coast TAFE Coffs Harbour Arts Council Margret Meagher Arts & Health Australia Councillor Anna Shields (Aug 2016)

Secretary Kempsey Shire Council Shelley O’Keefe Dr Lisa Milner Bellingen Community Arts Council Bowraville Arts Council

Lorrae O’Brien North Coast TAFE

Councillor Rob Turner (Dec 2016) Port Macquarie Hastings Council

12 ANNUAL ANNUAL REPORT REPORT 2016 2014 OUR STAFF CONTACT US Executive Director Online: www.artsmidnorthcoast.org Kevin Williams Ph: 02 6658 9400 Communications Officer Denise Aitken PO Box 4007 Moorland NSW 2443

CONSULTANTS Design & Online Mark Carpenter

Projects Stephanie Ney

Finance & Administration John Stewart

ANNUAL REPORT 2016 13 T: 02 6658 9400 [email protected]

PO Box 4007 Moorland NSW 2443

www.artsmidnorthcoast.com