Winton Shire Council Arts and Cultural Policy 2009 1 TABLE of CONTENTS
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
WINTON SHIRE COUNCIL ARTS AND CULTURAL POLICY 2009 Winton Shire Council Arts and Cultural Policy 2009 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS PAGE 3 INTENT & SCOPE PAGE 4 INTRODUCTION PAGE 5 COUNCIL COMMITMENT PAGE 7 DEFINITIONS PAGE 8 MISSION STATEMENT PAGE 9 GOALS PAGE 10 STRATEGY FRAMEWORK PAGE 11 MONITOR, REVIEW & EVALUATION PAGE 16 CULTURAL ASSETS & PAGE 17 HERITAGE PLACES APPENDIX A – PAGE 21 EXTRACT CORPORATE PLAN APPENDIX B - PAGE 22 CULTURAL GROUP PROFILES Winton Shire Council Arts and Cultural Policy 2009 2 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Winton Arts and Cultural Policy 2009 was developed through a consultation process overseen by the Winton Regional Arts Development Fund Committee which commenced in October 2008. A public meeting was called by the Winton Shire Council on Friday 21st February, 2009 where the community was invited to provide input into the rewriting of the Policy. Prepared for the Winton Shire Council by Julianne Doonar Telephone: 46574821 Executive Officer Fax: 46574047 Arts West (Western Queensland Arts Assoc) Inc Email: [email protected] Winton Shire Council Arts and Cultural Policy 2009 3 CREATIVE WINTON – BUILDING ARTS AND CULTURAL CAPACITY INTENT The intent of this policy is to assist in the progression of Winton as a vibrant community, in which Council is a proactive force in the development of arts and cultural activity that adds qualitative and quantitative value to the life of residents and visitors alike. The Policy is a working tool that serves a number of purposes: It guides the development, direction and implementation of services and infrastructure that will contribute to the development of sustainable activities; It provides a coordinated approach to the delivery of Council’s cultural services; It will assist in the provision of arts and cultural services in the present and for the future. SCOPE This policy will apply to Council and facilities and will be implemented throughout the Winton Local Government Area. Winton Shire Council Arts and Cultural Policy 2009 4 INTRODUCTION The area of the Shire of Winton is 53,820km and it has a population of 1,404 people (Estimated June 2008). Traditional language groups the Koa (Winton), Maiawali (Diamantina Lakes -Old Cork), Karuwali (Palparara to Betoota), Pitta Pitta (Middleton to Boulia), Iningai (Longreach), all lived within the current area of the Winton Shire, these boundaries overlap other language group areas and adjoining shires. Each language group has a core industry which was traded when they met. The Koa people were much sort after for their artistic skills in Spinifex craft making, the Maiawali people were much sort after for their Rain-making abilities, the Karuwali people were respected for their knowledge of Sorcery and Black magic, the Pitta-Pitta people were well known for their The Red Ochre Party roles, travelling up and down the track from Adelaide up the Diamantina through Winton Shire to the Territory. Commonly known as the Molonglo Red Ochre Party these members were the law givers. The Winton Shire has a number of high density heritage spots, numerous caves, rock art, bora rings and half a dozen ceremony sites for personal development, growth and protection, there are circumcision and sub circumcision areas and only a handful of people who speak the traditional languages remain in the district. Land was first taken up by European settlers in the district in 1873. Historically grazing of both sheep and cattle provided the town with its economic base. In recent years, there has been a change from complete rural dependency with the rise of other industries such as opal and gypsum mining, tourism and kangaroo harvesting. Winton is an area rich in history, having connections with both Waltzing Matilda (1895) and Qantas (1921). Evidence of a dinosaur stampede from 100 million years ago has been found south of Winton at Lark Quarry, major dinosaur fossils have also been uncovered at Belmont and Elderslie Station. A world class Natural History Museum is in development by Australian Age of Dinosaurs. Winton Shire Council Arts and Cultural Policy 2009 5 Winton is the major centre with small numbers of people also residing at Middleton, Corfield and Opalton. The Opalton Fields were discovered in 1888 and mining of opal continues to this day, with fossicking rights for tourists. The town of Winton boasts many attractions – the Waltzing Matilda Centre which includes the Outback Regional Gallery, Winton and District Historical Society and Museum Inc; Daphne Mayo’s Jolly Swagman statue; QANTAS Boardroom Lounge at the Winton Club; The Royal Open Air Theatre and Museum; The historic Corfield and Fitzmaurice Building incorporating Combo Crafts and displays; Winton’s Diamantina Heritage Truck and Machinery Museum; Arno’s Wall; Musical Fence and Lark Quarry Dinosaur Trackways. The Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History will offer a significant educational experience by presenting the story of the development and evolution of the Australian continent and emphasising this as a special part of the heritage of all Australians. The project which will be undertaken in three stages was launched in 2007, with stage three expected to be under construction by 2013. Largely because of its isolation, the Shire has a strong community spirit. Artistic talent abounds, this is encouraged and nurtured by an active Creative Arts Group and supported by many other organisations identified in this document. Winton Shire Council Arts and Cultural Policy 2009 6 COUNCIL COMMITMENT This policy states Council’s commitment to addressing the artistic and cultural needs of the community. The Winton Shire Council acknowledges through the policy that Local Government has a role and responsibility to support Arts and Cultural development within the Shire. The Corporate Plan of the Winton Shire Council contains the following vision: “WINTON LEGENDARY SAFE SCENIC” A Sports, Recreation and Cultural portfolio has been established for the achievement of this goal. One councillor has responsibility for the portfolio and actively pursues its accomplishment. The issue of Culture is addressed in the Policy. The Cultural objectives of the Winton Shire Council as taken from the Corporate Plan are reproduced in Appendix A of this document. This policy will assist in promoting a balanced quality of life for urban and rural residents. The policy supports the development of the region’s identity through arts and cultural activities, while also taking account equity and social justice issues. This Statement of Policy has been devised and compiled to enable it to continue as a working, practical document that can accommodate changes in community thinking and future development. It also ensures that a uniform, consistent approach can be made to matters relating to the development of Arts and Culture within the Winton Shire. DEFINITIONS For the purpose of this Policy Statement the following definitions apply: Winton Shire Council Arts and Cultural Policy 2009 7 ART – The creation of forms of symbolic human thought and emotion and more specifically: Visuals Arts including, but not limited to areas such as painting, pottery photography, video production, graphic arts and design, film, sculpture, print making, fabric painting, architecture and lapidary. Writing to include areas such as poetry, stories, novels, writing for performance. Performing Arts to include areas such as theatre, dance, music, puppetry, circus, street theatre, music theatre, oration. Craft including areas such as jewellery making, woodwork, leatherwork, toy making, knitting, weaving. Indigenous traditional art & craft including skills such as sand art, bush skills, traditional foods, weaving, beading and artefact making e.g. boomerangs, didgeridoos, coolamons. CULTURE – Is identified as the wide range of elements which contribute to local identity, sense of place and quality of life. Elements to include: activities, programs, natural and human environment, buildings and facilities, landscaping and heritage conservation, indigenous and multi-cultural groups, recreation, planning and control. Winton Shire Council Arts and Cultural Policy 2009 8 MISSION STATEMENT “TO RECOGNISE, SUPPORT, PROMOTE AND DEVELOP ARTS AND CULTURE” In recognition of the commitment of the Winton Shire Council to the Mission Statement, the Regional Arts Development Committee was formed to encourage arts development and cultural enrichment within our local community. It recognises the responsibility to provide for: 1. The needs in society for development in artistic practices, providing an enriched quality of life through recreation and education. 2. The need to support individual and group initiatives in all sectors of the community, in arts and cultural development. 3. The unique needs and requirements of resources for our community owing to its isolated geographical location. 4. Promotion of the opportunities available in the areas of Arts and Culture and of the achievements of individuals and groups who reside within the Shire. 5. Develop and progress an indigenous art , craft, culture and heritage strategy within the shire. GOALS Winton Shire Council Arts and Cultural Policy 2009 9 1. COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION To support and actively encourage community participation in the Arts and Cultural events. 2. ACCESS TO FUNDING To recognise and access avenues of available funding to support specific areas of Arts and Culture. 3. EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT To educate all sectors of the community by providing them with the opportunity