Arts & Heritage Strategic Reference Group

The Arts and Heritage Strategic Reference Group will play a role in shaping the future of Wollondilly’s cultural and historical landscape. Focused on arts, culture, and heritage, the group will provide input into Council’s policies, plans, and strategies, supporting the preservation and promotion of the region's rich history and creative industries. The group’s key priorities will include protecting and raising the profile of Wollondilly’s heritage, supporting arts and cultural initiatives, and enhancing community wellbeing through creative expression. By offering expert advice on events, arts infrastructure, and partnerships, the group will help make Wollondilly a vibrant and culturally enriched community, encouraging both local talent and the appreciation of our heritage.

The key focus areas for the Arts and Heritage Strategic Reference Group include:

• Matters falling within the following Councillor portfolios:
  • Arts and Culture
  • Heritage
• Protection of history and heritage
• Identifying opportunities to raise the profile of the Shire's heritage assets and places
• Providing input into and feedback on Council's heritage studies
• Providing constructive feedback into the development of a range of Council policy documents relating to Wollondilly's history and heritage
• Assisting in the planning, delivery and evaluation of key events that might help support Wollondilly Heritage and History
• Making recommendations to Council on the activation of heritage assets
• Investigating opportunities for Council run awards/recognition in response to good heritage work
• Library services
• Festivals, events, art and cultural activities
• Provide specialist advice and feedback to Council about a range of matters that may influence arts and culture policy, service and program delivery
  • Identify opportunities to raise the profile of the arts in the shire
  • Provide strategic advice on meeting the future arts and culture needs of our community to make the Wollondilly a culturally rich and vibrant community
  • To provide insight into current and emerging issues affecting arts practice, creative industries and the not-for profit arts sector drawing on local knowledge and expertise
  • Assist Council to develop and strengthen partnerships between Council, community, artists, arts organisations, businesses and other key stakeholders in generating arts and cultural experiences and on issues associated with the arts and culture
  • Utilising arts and cultural activity to enhance community wellbeing, social inclusion and cohesion
  • Supporting the development of arts and cultural infrastructure and the activation of public spaces for arts and cultural activity
  • Supporting existing and growing emerging artistic talent and creative communities
  • To keep Council informed of the artistic and cultural needs of the community.