You’re the voice

Central Coast artists and other creative industries practitioners are being called upon to have their say and help craft the first-ever Arts, Culture and Creative Industries policy for the state.

16 August 2023

 

CREATIVE industry practitioners are being urged to provide written responses to the NSW Government’s recently released discussion paper, ‘A New Look at Culture’ by August 31*. The paper is seeking to understand what’s working in the arts, cultural and creative sector, what’s not; and to usher in fresh ideas to help grow the sector.

 

Commenting on the initiative, Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch MP said, “Our arts and creative industries have been through the ringer in recent years. On so many fronts. Despite devastating disruptions – a decade of lockouts and lockdowns – they’ve kept on going and they should be commended for their resilience.

 

“We’re working to bring our arts and creative industries together with one policy in our bid to help grow the arts, culture and creative industries. We’re urging Coasties to have their voices heard on the arts.

 

“The creative industries make such an important contribution to our community. Arts and culture should be a bigger part of our story, of our local economy. This consultation process will ensure individuals and organisations can get involved and have their say."

 

Ms Tesch said feedback from local artists and workers will make a real difference.

 

“This consultation is a sound involvement. We know our artists and cultural sector workers don’t have time to consult just for consulting’s sake. We want to know your big ideas to consider,” she said

 

The discussion paper outlines 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, programs and other support 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?

 

Ms Tesch added, “We’re calling for all kinds of creatives – from novelists and performers to major arts companies here on the Coast to join the conversation and share your ideas about how to grow the sector.”

 

Submissions can be made in writing, audio or video formats. Interested participants can register to attend discussions which are being held online and in person at various locations across NSW.

 

Commenting on the consultation sessions was Umina-based bassist and artistic director Zoe Hauptmann. "We've been ignored for so long. It's so fantastic that artists’ and creatives’ concerns are being genuinely heard at these consultation sessions. It can only mean positive things for artists and creatives based here on the Central Coast, in the regions, in the city... right across New South Wales," he said.

 

"These are what the cultural and creative sectors have been crying out for, for so long now. Hopefully we'll start seeing practical outcomes taking shape by the end of the year."

 

Links to the discussion paper ‘A New Look at Culture’, as well as information about how and where to provide a written, audio or video submission can be found here.