Last year, Council asked community members to share their thoughts, dreams, and aspirations for the City of Wollongong's cultural life. This feedback forms the basis for the draft Creative Wollongong 2024-2033 strategy which will now go back to the community for feedback.
The purpose of the draft strategy is to capture the community's priorities for the city's creative future. It's essentially a roadmap for Council's efforts in supporting local artists, cultural organisations, and community initiatives.
Council's previous strategy — Creative Wollongong 2019-2024 — was instrumental in achieving a number of exciting and engagement creative cultural projects. This included festivals and events like Culture Mix and the recent Creative Dialogues, art exhibitions such as 'Coomaditchie: The Art of Place', artist residencies, financial support for local creatives and groups, upgrades to improve accessibility and amenities at the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, and support for businesses to extend operating hours enhancing the city's night-time economy.
These are just a few of many creative and cultural projects that Council has supported over the past ten years. See our Arts and Culture News webpage for even more updates.
Image: Wander Wollongong 2023. Workshop at Crown Art & Design.
Council's new draft strategy is important as it supports the city's creative industries, encourages community participation in creative and cultural life, and celebrates what makes our city unique.
One of the new features in the draft strategy, is the focus on 'game-changing' opportunities.
"While there are many direct actions we plan to take, we've also included a number of 'game-changers' in the draft strategy. These are significant projects or initiatives happening in our city that potentially will have a major impact on Wollongong's creative landscape," Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said.
"These 'game-changers' include opportunities such as the Blue Scope Land Transformation Project in Port Kembla, one of the most significant land transformation and job creation opportunities in Australia. This will involve the reimagination of some 200 hectares of land, with the potential to create 30,000 jobs in emerging and creative industries.
"Another 'game-changer' is our ongoing work as an advocate for Wollongong with the Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner. Working with government, industry, and community, we can help champion Wollongong's developing 24-hour economy.
"Then there is the exciting opportunity provided through our fastest-growing residential area, West Dapto. Over the next few decades, West Dapto will become home to around 19,000 new homes and more than 50,000 people. Part of our job developing this new community, will include making sure that we embed community and cultural facilities that provide opportunities for the arts and creative industries."
Community members can review the draft Creative Wollongong 2024-2033 and provide feedback from 30 May until Thursday 27 June 2024.
To share your feedback:
- Visit the Our Wollongong website
- Fill out a physical survey at your local library or Wollongong Art Gallery
