Last week the NSW Government released Heartland: a plan for regional NSW arts, culture and creative industries 2026–2035. This is the first time the NSW State Government has developed a dedicated regional arts plan. The plan recognises the vibrancy of art and culture across the state, as well as diversity and distance; that regional arts are central to community wellbeing, economic diversification, and cultural identity.
Arts OutWest Executive Director Kylie Shead was on the regional plan working group.
Ultimately this 10-year plan shows commitment to support and strengthen regional arts & culture across all artforms, build partnerships and to strengthen investment in regional arts.
The plan specifically acknowledges the value of the regional arts development organisations.
Along with the plan, some funding announcements have been made. So far these include the Regional NSW Strategic Partnerships Program and Regional NSW Community Bands Program. We will let you know as further funding announcements are made.
If you are looking at one of these funding opportunities please get in contact with Arts OutWest executive director Kylie Shead for support and advice.
The plan provides both validation for and a strategic framework that aligns closely with the work of Arts OutWest. for example:
| The NSW State Plan – Strategic Priorities | Arts OutWest Strategic priorities and commitments |
| STRATEGIC PRIORITY ONE
Champion regional First Nations arts and culture |
Aboriginal Arts Development is one of our four creative focus areas. |
| STRATEGIC PRIORITY TWO
Strengthen regional partnerships and networks
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Arts OutWest has a commitment to developing productive partnerships with local government and other government and private investors. We also facilitate network connections across the Central West of NSW.
‘Collaborate with Regional Arts Development Organisations (RADOs) to design, deliver and evaluate arts in health strategies and programs aligned with the NSW Health and the Arts Framework 2024-2032’ is highlighted in the plan.’* |
| STRATEGIC PRIORITY THREE
Unlock regional creative spaces Specifically: Collaborate across NSW Government, local councils, universities and vocational education providers, promoting more creative spaces and hubs in regional NSW.
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Working with LGAs and Heritage Rail, eg Arts OutWest assisted with the development of what is now Blayney’s Platform Arts Hub space. Recently we have partnered with CSU to activate spaces for artists including creatives with disabilities. We work with NSW Health Infrastructure on hospital redevelopments and new builds in our region. |
| STRATEGIC PRIORITY FOUR
Open doors to regional creative careers |
Arts OutWest is dedicated to working with young artists, creatives and arts workers. We provide professional development. We have developed education partnerships and networks. We have developed internship and mentoring opportunities for university students. |
| STRATEGIC PRIORITY FIVE
Showcase regional storytelling and creative innovation
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Creative Community/Creative People is one of our four creative focus areas. See the summary of our strategic plan below. |
| STRATEGIC PRIORITY SIX
Amplify statewide arts and cultural tourism
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Arts & Cultural Tourism focus including leading the statewide Regional Arts Network Cultural Tourism project – the coming launch an Arts and Cultural Tourism Toolkit via NSW First Website and Regional Futures website – is highlighted in the plan. |
* some of the ‘future focus’ in this section includes:
- Collaborate with RADOs to design, deliver and evaluate arts in health strategies and programs aligned with the NSW Health and the Arts Framework 2024-2032.
- Map current activity and collaborate to identify sustainable approaches for embedding arts and cultural models and activities in regional NSW health districts.
Arts OutWest’s 2025-2028 Strategic Plan outlines our Creative Focus areas – the way we decide what work we do. A detailed delivery plan set of KPIs is attached to each of these goals. Our plan aligns to key policies at Federal, State and Local Government levels. Read our full strategic plan here, below is a summary:
