Arts and Culture Plan

• Completion Date08 August 2023

Our Creative Macleay Arts & Culture Plan

The role of arts and culture in supporting wellbeing and building community connections has been recognised with the adoption of the Our Creative Macleay Arts and Culture Plan.

In August 2023, Council approved this plan following extensive research and community engagement, with strong backing from our local creative industry.

The Our Creative Macleay plan outlines our vision for nurturing a vibrant and innovative creative community. It is guided by three core focus themes:

• People: The collective identities, values, and beliefs of the people in our region are essential in shaping and evolving our culture and creativity.
• Past: Recognising and sharing the significance of our heritage fosters a sense of community and supports wellbeing.
• Place: Spaces for cultural expression and interaction create local identity, build pride in where we live, and help build resilient, connected communities.

The development of this plan involved significant engagement through online and face-to-face surveys, interest group discussions, and document reviews. This process, conducted alongside major events like the Laneway Festival, Sky Stories, and local markets, highlighted community support for continuing diverse, family-friendly events.

The actions within the plan align with existing tourism and economic development strategies across all levels of government and the private sector. Implementing medium and long-term actions will help our creative community build stronger networks, promote existing events, and create opportunities for additional grant funding from Council.

Explore the full Our Creative Macleay Arts and Culture Plan(PDF, 5MB)  and how this plan will shape the future of arts and culture in the Macleay Valley.