How was Southern Highlands Inspired! developed?

    The Arts and Culture Strategic Plan was developed through

    • gathering information from community workshops, surveys and submissions
    • discussions with the Arts and Culture Committee
    • input from Council staff
    • research into arts and culture trends and how arts and culture can contribute to social, economic and environmental change

    The information from these sources was then considered within the context of the Wingecarribee Community Strategic Plan. The goals and strategies for arts and culture were grouped to align with the themes and goals of the Community Strategic Plan. 

    How can I get a copy of the complete plan?

    There is a link to the full plan in the Documents section here or it can be viewed at the Civic Centre in Moss Vale or at Libraries at Bowral, Mittagong and Moss Vale.   Alternatively, you can contact the Cultural Development Officer for a copy of the plan ph 4868 0855 or jenny.kena@wsc.nsw.gov.au


     

    When does the exhibition period finish and what happens after that?


    The exhibition period finishes at 9am on Monday 1st June 2015.

    The next step will be to summarise submissions received and incorporate them into a final version of the plan.  It is planned to submit a summary of submissions and a final version of the plan to Council  for approval on June 26 2015.

    After this strategic plan is approved, an action plan for 1-2 years will be developed.  The action plan will consider time frames, objectives, responsibilities and resources.

    How can I talk to someone about the plan?

    There are two public information sessions being held on 11 May - refer to the Key Dates section for how to book into one of these sessions.  

    How is arts and culture defined in the plan?

    The plan uses the definition from the National Arts and Culture Accord of 2013 http://mcm.aarts.gov.au/sites/default/files/national-arts-and-culture-accord-2013.PDF

    The Accord adopts a broad concept of arts and culture encompassing three overlapping and interrelated sectors:

    Core Arts:  Music, performing arts, literature and visual arts, including established and emerging art forms, and inter-arts activities.  In addition
    to the individual and collective activities of practitioners, for vocational or recreational purposes, the core arts includes arts education, collections and
    performances which may be made available to the public in galleries, libraries, theatres, cultural venues and training institutions and increasingly on-line
    and broadcast.

    Creative Industries: A sector which harnesses a range of creative and business skills for commercial production and dissemination.  Creative industries include film and television production, broadcasting, electronic games, architecture, design and fashion, publishing, media and advertising.

    Cultural Heritage:  In parallel with core arts and creative industries there is a strong recognition of Australia’s diverse cultural heritage, and the work of museums, galleries and libraries and archives to preserve and provide access to the artefacts and intangible heritage of Australia’s culture. 
    In particular, Australia’s heritage includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures which are amongst some of the oldest living cultures
    in the world.

    Southern Highlands Inspired! relates to all of these sectors with the exception of Libraries.



     

    Is this Council's first Arts and Culture Strategic Plan?


    No, there was a previous Cultural Plan completed in 1998, an Arts and Culture Policy in 2001 and a Public Art Policy and Guidelines completed in 2012.

    Why are libraries not included in the plan?

    In the Arts and Culture Strategic Plan, arts and culture is defined using the definitions from the National Arts and Culture Accord http://mcm.arts.gov.au/sites/default/files/national-arts-and-culture-accord-2013.PDF

    Arts and culture is divided into 3 sectors:

    • core arts
    • creative industries
    • cultural heritage

    Libraries are included in the cultural heritage sector along with museums, galleries and archives.   In the draft plan, libraries have not been included.   However, this does not mean the plan will have no connection with the libraries as they are important cultural resource that supports many of the strategies.   The final version of the plan will clarify this connection.


     

    Will the action plan that is developed be prioritised?


    Yes, once the Strategic Plan is finalise, an action plan for a 1-2 year period will be developed.  This will include actions leading towards long term goals (e.g. new facilities) and actions to achieve shorter term goals (e.g. upgrading of existing facilities).   Each action will have a time frame, resourcing strategy, responsibilities assigned and how to measure whether it has been achieved.