Western Australia’s Great Southern Region to develop arts and heritage strategy

Having received $50,000 in funding from the Regional Arts and Culture Investment Program (RACIP), Western Australia Government organisations and community are to collaborate on developing  an arts, culture and heritage strategy for the Great Southern region.

The strategy will define a vision and direction to connect the region's people and places, share local stories, preserve heritage and nurture the region's diverse cultural and creative industries.

The Great Southern Development Commission, local governments, creative groups, community organisations and residents will also work to develop action plans for stakeholder communities, while encouraging collaborative activities and outcomes.

This activity is a pilot of the Leveraged Creative and Cultural Planning grant program, a part of the RACIP, which opens to regional local governments on 6th October 2020. More information on the grant program will be available soon.

The RACIP will deliver almost $20 million to regional Western Australia over four years. The program is administered by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries with funding from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

Western Australia Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman advised "the strategy will support the Great Southern region to nurture its rich and unique history, people, places and heritage.

"The arts and creative industries play a positive role in the social, cultural, and economic growth and vitality of regional communities.

"When it opens later this year, the Leveraged Creative and Cultural Planning grant program will assist local governments with cultural plans that will ultimately improve jobs growth, economic diversity and community wellbeing."

Western Australia Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan added "the arts play a vital role in making the regions an attractive place to live and work and together with local governments, the State Government is working to build cohesive, liveable, prosperous communities.”

Image: Main Gallery Exhibition Space – Vancouver Arts Centre in Albany WA featuring artworks by Paul Moncrieff showcasing an exhibition reflecting on the 100 years of Armistice