Arts Northern Rivers Encourages Local Candidates To Release Arts And Cultural Plans
Arts Northern Rivers Executive Director Peter Wood has welcomed Labor’s plan to support arts and cultural development throughout regional NSW and calls on all Northern Rivers candidates in the NSW State election to share their arts and cultural platforms prior to Election Day.
Mr Wood said often policy initiatives for regional arts is overlooked saying, ‘ too often arts policy is ignored during these campaigns – relegated to second order priorities. The creative industries make an important economic contribution in our region and we call on all candidates and parties to acknowledge and support this.
‘For those of us working in the regional cultural sector we understand the importance of creating opportunities for regional communities to participate in and create work that has a strong regional voice. It is encouraging to see one of the major party’s commitment to the regions by releasing an Arts and Cultural plan as well as a Plan to Support Live Music Venues well in advance of the 23 March Election Day’.
Mr Wood said key concerns and priorities for the regional arts sector include equitable access to funding, support for cultural infrastructure, cultural employment opportunities, fair remuneration for artists and their work as well as touring opportunities to and from regional centres.
‘Policy announcements and commitments to supporting regional arts indicate candidates and parties have been listening to the sector and shows they understand the contribution the creative industries make to social and economic development in our region and in NSW,’ continued Mr Wood.
With 4 electoral districts in the Northern Rivers region (Ballina, Clarence, Lismore and Tweed), Arts Northern Rivers will be requesting responses from every candidate outlining their commitment to supporting arts and cultural development in our region which Arts Northern Rivers will publish via their website and social media.
‘We look forward to hearing from all our local candidates to learn more about their commitments to the cultural ecology of our vibrant region’.
Arts Northern Rivers encourages everyone with an interest in the arts in our region to contact their local candidates (see link to contacts above) to explore their commitment to supporting arts and cultural development in the Northern Rivers.
If you have a question you would like Arts Northern Rivers to ask the candidates, email them to info@artsnorthernrivers.com.au
