Minister for the Arts, Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy, and Minister for Jobs and Tourism, John Graham MLC has heard from artists and stakeholders at a roundtable in Coledale hosted by Maryanne Stuart MP, Member for Heathcote.
Ms Stuart called the Roundtable to discuss how stakeholders in the Northern Illawarra arts community of the Heathcote electorate can work with each other and with levels of government to help the arts shine even brighter.
Those attending the meeting included 24-hour Economy Commissioner Michael Rodrigues, David Gordan from Create NSW, Wollongong 24 Hour Economy Associate Director of Stakeholder Engagement Ashleigh Smith, AACTA-winner Anousha Zarkesh, Chair of Screen Illawarra Nick Bolton and representatives from music label Farmer and the Owl, TAFE NSW, University of Wollongong and other arts institutions from the region.
The Minister highlighted Creative Communities, the state’s first creative industries policy, as being at the centre of a ten-year vision of the New South Wales Government to sustainably grow the depth and breadth of creative industries.
Issues raised at the roundtable included the need for greater accessibility and transport connections to enhance a night-time economy.
Plans to develop creative industries on lands owned by Bluescope were also discussed.
Quotes attributable to Maryanne Stuart MP, Member for Heathcote:
“It was fantastic for Minister Graham to hear from those within the sector about what is working, what is not and what opportunities there are to promote the arts throughout the Illawarra.”
“We have so many wonderful, creative, experienced and knowledgeable artists and opportunities to help shape this region’s arts – including visual arts, film and music industries.”
“Thank you to Coledale RSL for hosting, for all the attendees who contributed and to Minister Graham for listening to stakeholders in the industry and for your commitment to the arts.”
“I look forward to continuing to work with artists from across the electorate to grow the arts community.”
