Hills Shire embarks on community engagement campaign to help shape Arts and Culture Strategy

The Hills Shire Council is embarking on one of its biggest community engagement campaigns to date to ensure many voices are heard on shaping the Shire’s 2024 Arts and Culture Strategy. The Strategy aims to identify key priorities and actions for Council over the next 10 years.

The Arts and Culture Strategy will aim to increase opportunities for participation in arts and culture and for cultural expression, in a variety of forms. The Strategy will guide Council’s planning and provision of arts and cultural infrastructure (facilities and venues) and arts and cultural activities, events, and programs.

The Strategy will investigate a range of options that could transform cultural life in the Hills, including:

• Market demand and feasibility for a large new multi-purpose venue

• Viability of a permanent concert stage at Bella Vista Farm

• Council’s role in curating major events, exhibitions and performances at a range of Council-owned venues

• Opportunities for public art and laneway revitalisation.

Mayor of The Hills Shire Dr Peter Gangemi noted “as more families choose to make The Hills their home, we want to know what our community envisages across our Shire over the years ahead.

“Over the last ten years, Council has held and hosted major events at venues like Bella Vista Farm and Castle Hill Showground, while transforming space at Castle Grand into the Pioneer Theatre to bring stage shows like Menopause The Musical to the Shire.

“These actions were informed by our last cultural action plan ten years ago, and we want to identify the next big moves to take arts and culture forward across the Hills.

“I encourage residents to participate in the survey to help put together the future roadmap of The Hills.”

A draft Arts and Culture Strategy is due to be considered by Council in late 2024.

Anyone who participates in the survey and signs up to the new Hills Have Your Say platform is eligible to go into the running for one of five $100 vouchers.

To find out more information, visit hillshaveyoursay.thehills.nsw.gov.au. The survey will be open until 5pm on Friday 7th June, 2024.