Communities across the New England are set to benefit from a new state government strategy designed to strengthen arts and culture and grow cultural tourism across regional NSW.
Launched in Tamworth this week, Heartland: A Plan for Regional NSW Arts, Culture and Creative Industries is backed by a $5.2 million investment aimed at boosting creativity, vibrancy and economic activity in regional centres including Armidale, Tamworth, Glen Innes, Inverell and Tenterfield.
The strategy is the first of its kind and follows extensive consultation with communities across regional NSW. Feedback highlighted the critical role arts and culture play in social cohesion, retaining young people and supporting communities recovering from drought, flood and fire, realities well known across the New England.
Regional creativity already makes a substantial contribution to the state’s economy, employing more than 52,000 people and generating more than $6.2 billion in cultural tourism spending each year.
Almost $3.2 million of the Heartland funding will be directed towards building partnerships, strengthening investment, activating networks and expanding creative opportunities.
Key measures include $1 million for a Regional NSW Strategic Partnerships Fund to support co-funded initiatives with arts organisations, councils, universities, philanthropists and businesses, and $500,000 to expand regional touring programs, with a focus on skills development and growing new audiences.
First Nations arts and culture are also a central priority, with $400,000 over two years to bring creative and cultural practitioners together, and a further $200,000 for an Arts and Cultural Tourism Program for NSW First Nations practitioners and communities.
The plan will also fund 16 paid internships through regional arts organisations, establish producer and touring brokerage roles, pilot place-based philanthropy models with local government, and support new creative and community hubs through the Creative Heritage Rail program.
Capacity building funding will begin with Music in the Regions, while regional community bands will receive $50,000 to support youth participation and engagement.
A further $2 million will fund a Regional Night-Time Economy Program pilot supporting 10 regional town business collectives to grow their economies into the evening, a move that could bolster live music and event offerings in hubs such as Tamworth and Armidale.
The government has also announced the establishment of a RADO sustainability fund to restore funding levels for the Regional Arts Development Organisation network, providing greater stability for local arts bodies and a safety net for organisations undergoing restructure.
Arts Minister John Graham said regional artists and festivals were central to community life.
“Regional artists, creative organisations, and cultural festivals play a critical role in their local communities – culture brings people together and boosts local economies,” he said.
“From artists in small towns to cultural festivals that define their communities, this plan gives regional creatives better support and the opportunities they deserve – strengthening the creative life of regional NSW for generations to come.
“That is why we’re investing in regional artists and cultural organisations to do what they do best – tell local stories, bring communities together, and contribute to the economic life of the regions.”
The Regional Plan Working Group described the strategy as a significant milestone.
“Regional NSW represents nearly 40 per cent of the state’s population and is rich with creative talent, distinctive cultural traditions and stories that deserve to be seen and celebrated,” the group said.
“This Regional Plan is an exciting step forward in a decade-long process of investment, research, and co-design, prompted by the NSW Government’s Creative Communities policy.
“It will support artists, creative groups, and community cultural organisations to hum with activity, connection, and pride, and will help bring regional stories to life where culture thrives.”
Regional Cities NSW has also welcomed the plan, launched in Tamworth on 17 February.
Chair Cr Steve Krieg said regional councils were pleased to contribute to the strategy’s development.
“Our regional member cities were pleased to contribute to the development of the plan and are encouraged to see the importance of regional storytelling close to home reflected,” Cr Krieg said.
“Regional NSW is a special place and each of our member cities have a unique story to tell about their people, place and culture; these stories deserve to be recognised, planned for and amplified as today’s announcement sets out to do.”
However, he noted that while the plan referenced the need to work with local government to maintain active spaces for arts and cultural activities, associated funding for infrastructure was not directly announced.
“Regional cities in NSW are some of the fastest-growing communities in the State and these cities carry responsibilities far beyond their local boundaries when providing fit for purpose spaces for arts and cultural activities,” Cr Krieg said.
“The burden on local governments to deliver high quality services and infrastructure is growing every day and arts and cultural facilities are part of this pressure.
“Regional Cities NSW will continue to engage with the Minns Government as implementation of the Hartland Plan begins, to advocate for a sustainable arts and culture infrastructure funding model that recognises local government’s central role in delivering for their communities.”
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