Have your say: http://engage.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/nsw-acp

Recently I attended a facilitated consultation session organised by Arts NSW to comment on their recently released NSW Arts & Cultural Policy Discussion Paper. A range of representatives from across the arts industry engaged in a thoughtful process that provided feedback and comment towards a final policy draft.

There was particular comment on the proposed vision ‘That Sydney and NSW are locally and internationally recognised as leaders in arts and culture’. Those present overwhelmingly felt that this was too ambitious and that the final adopted vision should be more achievable and reflective of communities, their arts based involvement and the range of program innovation.

Strong views were also expressed about strategies to address regional access and program equity through an emphasis placed on sharpening the role of the State’s major cultural institutions in this area. While it was acknowledged that the major cultural institutions have a role to play in servicing regional NSW, all present felt that the emphasis needs to be on creation and presentation capacity – arts infrastructure itself – as an important component of regional arts, culture and heritage development.  

Other sessions are planned and comments can be submitted online at Arts NSW so be sure to have your say on this influential document.

Michael Rolfe, CEO M&G NSW