News and Events
What's On?
Country Arts WA and Healthway are excited to announce the highly anticipated return of comedian Damian Callinan as he moonwalks back into the hearts of WA audiences! In Cave to the Rave - A Comedy Danceathon, Callinan leads the audience in a hilarious journey from the earthen floor of prehistoric man to the polished parquetry of modern dance, promoting the Smokefree WA health message all the way.
Following the huge success of his 2011 tour in The Merger, Damian is one of only a few performers to be toured through regional WA for a second time by Country Arts WA.
"The demand for Damian Callinan's new show has been huge. As soon as we confirmed he was touring, we had 14 communities book him in," said Manager Philippa Maughan. "Damian and the crew will be on the road for a month and travel over 6500kms just to make sure that everyone has a chance to see him in action."
Damian's Cave to the Rave - A Comedy Danceathon will be moshing in Merredin, pirouetting in Port Hedland, barrel rolling through Broome, performing a Paso Doble with Port Samson, doing the Nutbush in Newman, forming a conga line in Coorow, disco dancing in Donnybrook, quickstepping through Kwinana, Harlem Shaking it in Harvey, novelty dancing in Narrogin, doing the chicken dance to Corrigin and the hustle in Hyden, East Coast Swinging in Esperance and finally krumping in Kalgoorlie from Wednesday 22, May till Friday 21, June.
Damian will take to the stage with a series of ‘highly choreographed' routines capturing the finer detail of everything from the sociology of the wedding dance floor to suspiciously funded fringe movement ensembles. WA audiences will also be the first ever to see Youtube clips of So You Think I Can Dance auditions from around the world and a homage to the dance film genre that will have you wishing you never threw away your leg warmers.
Damian does the dancing and the jokes - so even blokes with two left feet can come along and enjoy it!
Damian was a huge hit in the first performance of Cave to the Rave - A Comedy Danceathon at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. "Everyone at some stage of their life has to dance" Damian said, "and the punters instantly related to the material and the ‘highly choreographed' routines."
Since then Cave to the Rave - A Comedy Danceathon has been massaged like a ballet dancer's calf muscle through both the regional Victoria and New Zealand tours and is ready to finally debut in a town near you!
The Shows on the Go touring program is sponsored by Healthway and promotes the Smokefree WA message.
Healthway's Executive Director, David Malone, said "Healthway understands that everyone loves the fun and excitement of the dancefloor. What could be better than combining that fun with the stand-out stand-up of one of Australia's finest comedians? We are really pleased to offer regional audiences a great night out in a completely smoke free atmosphere which is great for everyone's health."."
A smoke free lifestyle means you can breathe easier, have more money and live longer.
Country Arts WA and SmokeFree Wa present
Cave to the Rave - A Comedy Danceathon
Merredin
Cummins Theatre
Wed 22 May 2013, 7.30pm
Bookings 08 9041 1666 or www.cumminstheatre.com.au
Locally presented by The Cummins Theatre and RadioWest
Port Hedland
Matt Dann Cultural Centre
Sat 25 May 2013, 6pm Bar / 7pm Show
Bookings 08 9158 9368 or www.mattdann.com
Locally presented by Town of Port Hedland
Broome
Broome Civic Centre
Tue 28 May 2013, 7.30pm
Bookings 08 9191 3418
Locally presented by Shire of Broome
Point Samson
Pt Samson Amphitheatre Community Park
Thu 30 May 2013, 7pm
Bookings 08 9186 8653
Locally presented by Shire of Roebourne
Newman
Newman Community Hall
Sat 1 June 2013, 8pm
Bookings 0409109129
Locally presented by Newman Main Street Inc.
Coorow
Coorow Town Hall
Fri 7 June 2013, 7.30pm
Bookings 08 9952 1266 or coordinator@coorowcrc.net.au
Locally presented by Coorow Community Resource Centre
Kwinana
Koorliny Arts Centre
Sat 8 June 2013, 8pm
Bookings www.koorliny.com.au or 08 9467 7118
Locally presented by Koorliny Arts Centre
Donnybrook
Donnybrook Memorial Hall
Tue 11 June 2013, 7.30pm
Bookings 08 9780 4200
Locally presented by Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup
Harvey
Harvey Recreation and Cultural Centre
Thu 13 June 2013, 7.30pm
Bookings 08 9729 3311
Locally presented by Harvey Recreation and Cultural Centre
Narrogin
Narrogin Senior Citizens' Centre
Fri 14 Jun 2013, 7.30pm
Bookings 08 9881 1990
Locally presented by ARtS Narrogin
Corrigin
Corrigin Town Hall
Mon 17 June 2013, 6.30pm Meal / 8pm Show
Bookings 08 9063 2203 or www.corrigin.wa.gov.au
Locally presented by Shire of Corrigin
Hyden
Hyden Town Hall
Tue 18 June 2013, 7pm
Bookings 08 9880 5088 or www.hyden.crc.net.au
Locally presented by Hyden Community Resource Centre
Esperance
Esperance Civic Centre
Thu 20 June 2013, 8pm
Bookings 08 9083 1566 or www.esperanceciviccentre.com
Locally presented by Esperance Civic Centre
Kalgoorlie
Goldfields Arts Centre
Fri 21 June 2013, 8pm
Bookings 08 9088 6900 or www.goldfieldsartscentre.com.au
Locally presented by Goldfields Arts Centre
Regional WA to be heard
Having already reached over 80,000 people the Vote Arts campaign is looking to escalate that figure to more than one million, following yesterday's release by the Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls of the Living in the Regions Survey.
Country Arts WA engaged both regional and metro based residents to vote for stronger and healthier regional communities by advocating for Western Australian communities by ensuring that regional arts was on the agenda leading up to the State election.
In direct response to the Vote Arts campaign the Nationals WA made a pre-election commitment of $16 million in funding for regional arts over four years. Culture and the Arts Minister John Day assured the public that he would also support this commitment if re-elected in an interview with ABC in February.
After the Liberal Party's landslide victory in March many have voiced concerns on the Royalties for Regions funding and what it will look like in the future however Country Arts WA are pleased to demonstrate how our voices can be heard.
Successes of the Vote Arts campaign thus far have included:
- The pre-election public and tangible commitments from both the Nationals WA and the Greens as well as the endorsement of the Nationals WA commitment from Labor.
- Regional Arts being the topic in one of only two Twitter questions posed to the major parties during the leader's debate.
- Regional matters forming a significant component of the Chamber of Arts and Culture Get your Arts into Gear Forum held in Perth.
- Almost 250 letters sent to the political parties calling for and celebrating arts and culture as an integral component to stronger and healthier regional communities.
March also saw the release of ‘Creative Australia' a National Cultural Policy Framework by the then Federal Minister for the Arts Simon Crean.
"It was really interesting to hear Simon Crean explain his cross-portfolio approach - he's managed to get money from the education, Indigenous and health portfolio. The key message that comes across is that the arts are vital for social inclusion, in closing the gap and creating economic and social dividends for Australians," comments Jessica Machin CEO of Country Arts WA on Creative Australia.
Machin was disappointed regional arts was not given a greater priority, especially given Crean's other portfolio is Regional Development. "Wouldn't it have been great to see his arts and regional portfolios come together and create some priority grassroots focussed programs?"
So with all of this success and nothing concrete having changed on the ground in the regions as yet Country Arts WA faces the question of what now for regional arts?
"We believe that the Royalties for Regions and John Day's promise to support the Nationals commitment of $16 million allocated to regional arts are both integral to ensuring a strong and healthy future for the regional communities across our state," says Kate Fielding Chair of Country Arts WA.
"We are calling for people to once again have their voice heard and let our State government know that this commitment is valued. Results from this survey will help drive future decisions and the regions must not be left out of this discussion."
The survey takes no more than ten minutes and is asking questions on what attracts people to regional communities and what makes them stay. Forty thousand surveys were mailed randomly across regional Western Australia yesterday however additional feedback is being sought online through the Department of Regional Developments website www.rdl.wa.gov.au until 10 May 2013.
Join the conversation at www.votearts.com, www.facebook.com/VoteArts or www.twitter.com/VoteArts2013
The Shows on the Go program is designed to ensure that small communities in regional Western Australia have access to high quality performing arts experiences. Country Arts WA delivers three to four statewide tours per year, between four to eight weeks in length. Shows on the Go tours are selected by community presenters voting for what shows they would like to see in their town through the Touring Menu and the Cyberpaddock website. Country Arts WA coordinates the tours and covers the touring costs.
Registrations for productions will open on Tuesday 5 March 2013. Please have a read through this information sheet to see if your production can be a Show on the Go!
Country Arts WA will be hosting a Producer Forum and Sundowner at King Street Arts Centre, 357 Murray St Perth from 3.30-5pm on Friday, 15 March 2013 to assist Producers interested in submitting a production into the Shows on the Go selection process. RSVP your attendance by Monday 11 March 2013 to touring@countryartswa.asn.au or phone 08 9200 6200.
For more information about Shows on the Go or submitting your production into the selection process contact a member of our Touring team on 08 9200 6200 or email touring@countryartswa.asn.au.
This, and recent pre-election commitments to regional arts by the Nationals WA and the Greens have highlighted the livability of the regions and the importance that leveraged investment can have in some of our most vulnerable and arts-starved regions.
According to Jessica Machin, CEO of Country Arts WA, the peak body for regional arts, the debate which focuses on the effects of FIFO and DIDO workers offers a real chance to lay down the foundations of a lasting legacy for future regional-dwelling generations by investing directly in the arts and cultural activities of those communities.
With two fervent sides to this story, Country Arts WA calls on politicians and voters to take WA's future seriously and engage with its VOTE ARTS campaign in a public forum that calls on all political parties to make a commitment to supporting regional livability and funding regional arts in the regions to enhance the appeal of the regions.
"This commitment is an essential part of building liveable regional communities," said Ms Machin. "Arts and culture needs to be positioned at the centre of planned regional growth to maintain and nurture the soul of our towns."
"Without public and tangible commitments from the Western Australian leaders right now, our regional towns risk losing their liveability and short-changing the millions who call regional WA home," said Ms Machin.
Many national and international examples demonstrate the positive influences where nurturing arts and culture has led to increased local investment, community pride and social engagement, while also decreasing crime and the transiency of regional areas.
"Memorable places and sustainable communities do not happen by chance. Towns are more than just bricks and mortar - it is the people and the local culture that turns towns into the communities where people want to live and visit," said Ms Machin.
With early comments related to tomorrow's Majority Report suggesting that the temporary residents of some of the most profitable regions in the nation are somehow ‘hollowing out' the regions because of fringe benefits tax exemptions the debate is set to continue to rage.
With two fervent sides to this story, Country Arts WA calls on politicians and voters to consider the future and take WA's future seriously. Voters can engage with the group's VOTE ARTS campaign and share thoughts on the public forum that calls on all political parties to make a commitment to funding regional arts in the regions to enhance livability. All members of the public can participate easily by sending a pre-drafted letter directly to their party of choice, or to each of the parties through the http://www.votearts.com/ website.
Additional conversations have also been occurring via Facebook and Twitter at www.facebook.com/VoteArts or @VoteArts2013 offering ways of having voices heard regardless of how much time people have to spare. Country Arts WA has long been advocating for regional communities and it is now time for people to directly tell the political parties what's needed in their communities.
Country Arts WA's Foundations for the Future Regional Arts Policy Platform documents the role played by regional arts organisations in transforming towns, attracting workers, retaining residents and enhancing the appeal and livability of the regions. These concerns are at the heart of the future of WA's most important regional employment and livability debate.
Released on January 24
Today's pre-election commitment by the WA National Party of $16 million over four years to support regional arts has been welcomed by Country Arts WA, the state's peak body for regional arts.
The Bunbury announcement was made on the heels of Country Arts WA's VOTE ARTS campaign launched this week which called on all parties to make a public and tangible commitment to WA regional communities and to reveal their regional arts policies ahead of the election.
The Nationals WA's Regional Arts discussion paper released today acknowledges the key role regional arts plays in revitalising regional WA and in the creation of vibrant and liveable regional communities, and supports the recommendations of the Foundations to the Future paper released Monday through the VOTE ARTS campaign.
Jessica Machin CEO of Country Arts WA said she was encouraged by the announcement which recognised regional arts as essential to the social fabric of regional communities.
"It is a big step in the right direction for regional WA and we are proud to be the driving force behind the Vote Arts campaign ensuring that a collaborative and considered approach is taken in the development of our regional communities. The WA National's paper is open for discussion which means that communities, organisations and individuals need to be active to ensure their voices are heard, " said Ms Machin.
The discussion paper cites the party's intention to expand its funding to arts and culture as part of its election platform building on its Royalties for Regions contribution to the sector with its proposed funding allocation to regional arts ensuring that large and small regional entertainment centres could stay open, along with devolved funding for grassroots regional arts and cultural groups who deliver significant outcomes for regional WA.
"I urge the community to have their voices heard through the VOTE ARTS Facebook page, website or Twitter to support stronger, healthier regional communities in WA."
For more information visit the VOTE ARTS website at http://bit.ly/Vf8PXt, the Facebook page at http://on.fb.me/140tlvm or follow @VoteArts2013 on Twitter. All offer ways of getting involved with the campaign.
Country Arts WA, the state's peak body for regional arts, launched the Vote Arts: Vote Regional Arts for Stronger, Healthier Regional Communities campaign today emphasising the significant role of arts and culture in strengthening and transforming the rapidly developing regional communities of Western Australia.
Following a call from The WA Chamber of the Arts and Culture for political parties to increase arts funding and reveal their arts policies in the lead up to the March election, Suzie Haslehurst, Chair of Country Arts WA, said she was encouraged by the focus on regional arts and keen to see this translated onto the political agendas of all parties.
The ABS has forecast WA's population to increase to three million by 2026. Ms Haslehurst said the impact of this population boom was already being felt by regional communities with many seeking ways to strengthen their towns and engage their rapidly fluctuating populations.
"Regional arts has been proven both Australia wide and globally, to transform places, enhance livability and strengthen communities and this becomes even more important in times of such dramatic growth as we are experiencing. As the peak body for regional arts we want to make sure that appropriate levels of funding are allocated to achieve the best possible outcomes for regional communities," she said.
The Vote Arts campaign will be mobilising WA communities to have a voice in the discussions and to provide feedback on the regional arts funding priorities put forward by Country Arts WA.
Jessica Machin, CEO of Country Arts WA, said they had seen an increased demand for partnerships from local government, development commissions and private industry with many of the growth-fuelled regional communities turning to culture and the arts to support them in revitalizing the identity and liveability of their towns and help them build dynamic community programs.
In 2012 Country Arts WA delivered its 2020nine Manifesto to Parliament House. This document marked the increasing role played by regional arts organisations in transforming towns, attracting workers, retaining residents and enhancing the appeal of regional WA to young people and families. The manifesto outlined nine concrete steps for the creation of an ideal regional arts state by 2029 with Regional Arts Policy highlighted as the first step.
From this Country Arts WA developed its Foundations for the Future - Regional Arts Policy Platform which was distributed to all political parties and called for open discussion and commitment to the priorities for regional arts funding.
"Most people who live in regional WA are deeply attached to their place, the natural environment and their communities," said Ms Machin. "The Foundations for the Future Regional Arts Policy Platform outlines funding priority areas to ensure this local pride can be nurtured and cultivated to strengthen and unite regional communities."
The funding priorities outlined in the paper focus on grassroots organisations and community groups, the active hub of town centres. It recognises the need for strategic partnerships and signature programs while also utilising a legacy leaving approach to ensure maximum leveraging of opportunities and the sustainability of regional arts programs for communities.
"In WA and internationally arts and culture has proven it can transform towns, cities, and regions. It is also a major economic contributor, particularly in Australia where we rank fourth in the world in terms of creative workers per capita with the creative industries generating revenue of $65 billion per year. Speaking from our own experience, Country Arts WA has documented a typical three to one economic return for money invested with our regional arts programs across this state," said Ms Machin.
"We are at a pivotal time with the upcoming election. Right now people can have their voices heard and be instigators of change. We know there is a strong faction of people, organisations and communities that recognise the importance of regional arts being on the political agenda and through our website they can show their politicians what is really important to them."
For more information visit the Vote Arts website at www.votearts.com, the Facebook page at http://on.fb.me/140tlvm or follow @VoteArts2013 on twitter. All offer ways of getting involved.
"With the rapid global shifts in technology and the leading role of remote Australia in digital media and communications we really are on the edge of something big." Ben Fox
Country Arts WA is proud to announce Ben Fox as the Artistic Director for Australia's most prestigious arts biennial - not new news to all, but exciting all the same! The official announcement was made this morning in Kalgoorlie-Boulder where he will take up residence next year as his artistic vision for the national event continues to unravel.
Suzie Haslehurst, Chair of Country Arts WA, said Ben was an inspired fit for the conference which would have a strong focus on Australia's changing regional landscape. "Ben's experience and background will be drawn on to bring vitality, vision and value to the Regional Arts Australia 2014 biennial event."
Fox has worked across Australia and internationally engaging networks, propagating cultures and changing minds. His work in professional development programs for remote-based and intercultural practitioners includes his role as Artistic Director of Wilurarra Creative based in the very remote desert of Western Australia. Check out http://www.wilurarra.com/.
Dennis Goldner, President of Regional Arts Australia, said the influence of arts and culture in enriching life in regional and remote Australia has never been greater. It is stimulating and exciting to see such a diverse range of sectors now calling on and joining with the arts to achieve positive results for communities.
"The appointment of Ben as the Artistic Director will add enormous value and vision to support regional arts and regional community leaders across Australia," said Mr Goldner
In 2014 the Goldfields-Esperance region will welcome arts leaders as well as leaders from business, governments and communities who are increasingly joining with the arts community to make the most of diversity and revitalize their communities.
Mr Fox said he was delighted with the appointment which offered great opportunities to engage diverse communities in a myriad of different ways.
The Shows on the Go program provides tours of professional performing arts productions to regional and remote Western Australia. These tours are made available to community groups across the state for a subsidised performance fee.
Country Arts WA and SmokeFree WA are pleased to announce three exciting shows in our 2013 Shows on the Go regional WA touring program.
 | Jane Germain & The Lazy Boys - touring 19 March to 19 April 2013 Jane Germain & The Lazy Boys (aka Ian Simpson and Adam Gare) effortlessly combine country, blues, swing and bluegrass to stamp their authority in new territory on the national music scene. |
 | Cave to the Rave - A Comedy Danceathon - touring 23 May to 22 June 2013 Cave To The Rave takes us from the earthen floor of prehistoric man to the polished parquetry of modern dance with a few side steps and knee slides along the way. It's a dance class for comedy beginners, intermediate and advanced. |
 | Boats - touring 29 August to 28 September 2013 |
We now invite regional WA presenters and community groups to indicate your interest in being a part of any of these tours, whether you voted for them through the Touring Menu or not.
You can find more information about each of these shows and the confirmation of interest process here.
Confirmation of interest forms will need to be submitted by Friday 16 November 2012.
The Shows on the Go program is designed to ensure that small communities in regional Western Australia have access to high quality performing arts experiences, and is made possible through support from the State of Western Australia through the Department of Culture and the Arts and Lotterywest, Healthway - promoting a SmokeFree WA and media partners ABC Local Radio and WIN Television.
Please contact a member of our Touring Team if you have any queries on 08 9200 6200 or regional freecall 1800 811 883 or email touring@countryartswa.asn.au.
In a major coup for West Australia's Goldfields-Esperance region the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder has been chosen to host the nation's most prestigious forum on creativity, culture and regional arts, the 2014 Regional Arts Australia's national conference and festival.
Two talented WA artists will perform at the handover ceremony that will close the 2012 conference in Goolwa, South Australia showcasing some of the incredible talent directly from this region - award winning actor Trevor Jamieson, and rising country singer star, 15 year old Jennifer Renee.
Jamieson, known for his roles in Namatjira, Ngapartji Ngapartji and Bran Nu Day, won Best Actor in a Lead Role for Ngapartji Ngapartji in 2008 and was nominated again for Namatjira in 2010 Sydney Theatre Awards. Renee, despite her young age, already has two Western Australian Music Industry (WAMI) nominations under her belt.
The theme for the 2014 event - Arts on the Edge - will reflect the exciting crossroads of Australia's art scene, perhaps perfectly represented by Jamieson's own cultural compass, as well as the on-the-edge characteristics of the thriving host city located on the edge of a desert, the massive KCGM Super Pit and on the edge of the Great Western Woodlands, the largest and most intact temperate (or semi-arid) woodland remaining on the planet. The theme also embodies the unique and passionate edge the region has cultivated in arts and cultural practice.
Jamieson spent his early years in WA's Goldfields and around Esperance, with traditional connections to the Spinifex country of WA and spending a great deal of time at the TjunTjunTjara community. "When I was a toddler my grandfathers would get me up and include me in doing all the song and dance during ceremonial times," said Jamieson.
Kalgoorlie-raised Jennifer Renee, who recently won a place in the heats of the Telstra Road to Discovery and scooped the prestigious Composition Youth Award and Best Contemporary Song for No Ones Girl (the title track from her debut EP) at the Canberra Country Music Festival National songwriting competition, is also thrilled to be performing at Goolwa, particularly as the 2014 conference will be taking place in her own home town.
"I am so excited to join Trevor at such an important event for our state," she said.
Regional Arts Australia's ninth national biennial conference and festival will be held in spring 2014 bringing together hundreds of artists, academics, volunteers, government and community representatives from around Australia to consider and celebrate arts and culture and its impact and contribution to the creativity and identity of regional Australia.
Suzie Haslehurst chair of Country Arts WA said the region would provide a stunning backdrop for the collaboration and for future planning by Australia's regional arts leaders.
"Australia is already a world leader in regional arts management and Kalgoorlie-Boulder-Esperance with its entrepreneurial spirit and iconic Australian identity will foster adventurous artistic and cultural exchanges to bring out the best in everyone involved.
"We are very excited about creating a memorable program and look forward to announcing our Artistic Director very soon," she said.
The Hon John Day, West Australian Minister for Culture and the Arts said Kalgoorlie-Boulder was a thriving city with an international reputation for its leadership in mining and creativity.
"The Goldfields-Esperance region boasts world class art installations such as the symbolic Gormley Sculptures at nearby Lake Ballard and cutting edge arts and cultural practice which includes the world class Western Desert Kidney Health Project that successfully links arts with positive Indigenous health outcomes.
Meanwhile, the mining and cultural identity of the region has already been artistically stamped on the 2014 event and includes miners' prospecting bags with artwork by Wongutha Indigenous artist Regina Donaldson depicting the wild silky pear or Karlkurla from which the city's name of Kalgoorlie is drawn.
Ron Yuryevich, Mayor of Kalgoorlie-Boulder said the city was delighted to have the opportunity to showcase, share and continue to nurture the creativity of the region with the nation's arts leaders with the conference and festival offering a memorable artistic and cultural adventure for delegates and visitors.
Goldfields Esperance Development Commission Chairman, Jon Price, a strong supporter of the bid to host the conference, said there was great kudos for the area in hosting the nation's most prestigious arts event.
"This prestigious event will showcase our region and its nature, culture and creativity. The contrasts between the warm red earth of Kalgoorlie and the white beaches of nearby Esperance will be a brilliant experience for visitors," said Mr Price.
Subscribe to the conference mailing list at http://bit.ly/ON8C9I by 30 November.2012 to go into the draw to win an iPad and receive conference news as it breaks.
As a national first, Country Arts WA has taken a long term vision for regional arts and delivered an historic Manifesto to the Western Australian House of Parliament which unveils concrete steps to aid in transforming communities and the regional arts landscape at a time when the state's population is projected to grow by three million by 2026.
The Manifesto, created with the support of 150 people including leaders from business and industry, local government, community and people from the arts contributing to a long term vision for regional arts across Western Australia, has resulted in a timely document directly tied to supporting the liveability and long term visions of towns and places seeking to reinforce their identity and sense of place.
The document unveils concrete steps and new partnerships, policies and planning to support the livability of regional communities in Western Australia and is a statement of intentions created by regional people to represent the collective view of regional communities.
In presenting the document, Suzie Haslehurst, Chair of Country Arts WA Board of Management said that in developing the bold plan which has the input of so many regional voices, Country Arts WA was pleased to have the recognition of local and regional governments, state government and business and industry, but stressed that was still a long way to go.
"Our state will need to keep pushing itself to achieve its goals of future growth, investment opportunities and the type of regional development that suits WA - supported through culture and the arts."
She said the concrete steps outlined would provide a solid pathway to assist the many communities searching for answers to their expanding - or in some cases, dwindling - year round populations. Many were seeking ideas and support on how to transform their communities and retain a sense of identity, vitality and liveability - in ways that were meaningful on a local and regional level.
"Prior to this document there was no integrated vision of arts and cultural development in regional communities across the state and there is currently no policy across Western Australia that incorporates arts and culture as part of our regional development," she said. "We hope to change that."
The Manifesto, driven by Country Arts WA provides recommendations and approaches on blending of arts and culture with communities, government and business to achieve local goals that added value to the reputation of the whole state.
"We are in a time of unprecedented growth - akin to the Gold Rush - and it is essential that we address the culture and identity of the towns and regions that will be home to those who are rushing here," said Ms Hazelhurst.
She said that the Manifesto is relevant and timely - because now is the time for an integrated program that would add value to the whole of the state and culture - and the arts must be a partner there.
"In many parts of regional WA, including the Gascoyne and the City of Geraldton-Greenough we have already seen the benefits of partnerships and policies where local leaders have integrated culture and the arts into their future planning, regional revitalization and developments to create a sense of place. The benefits here have been achieved with an integrated view that combines government, business, community and has arts and culture as a close partner, she said."
"The Manifesto has put a sharp focus on the partnerships, policy and planning required for culture and arts in Western Australia to support the economy and livability of communities in regional WA and although we have a regional arts sector that is under pressure from long term under-investment, I anticipate that through the Manifesto, new investors and partners will be drawn to the benefits that can be achieved by creating a state that has broad appeal to the burgeoning regional population as well as tourists and other visitors who are drawn by the cultural identity of places they visit."
She said that Country Arts WA would be seeking new and expanded partnerships to support Regional WA and that part of Country Arts WA offering would be to establish a Regional Arts Legacy Foundation with the support of the resources sector.