Arts Policy - Greens

Greens Arts and Culture Policy
NSW March 24 Election. Arts Policies.

All candidates for the Gosford electorate were invited to share their vision for the region by presenting their election policy and responses to some broad questions.


The first to respond was Hillary Morris of the Greens.











Questions.

What are the priorities in planning the future for the arts in the Gosford region?

To facilitate community access to the greatest variety of artforms within the region, with emphasis on Indigenous culture, community arts as well as ‘high’ arts such as classical concerts, art exhibitions – both sourced locally and travelling exhibitions – drama and dance. To emphasise a unique regional culture and encourage different perspectives including celebration of our natural heritage.

What do you consider to be the greatest needs?

The greatest needs are for music performance, dance and drama – there is no concert hall in Gosford and a multi-purpose centre could include not only a concert hall suitable for visiting performers as well as local performers such as the Central Coast Symphony Orchestra, but also smaller rooms for performances such as poetry readings, small ensembles and dance, and rooms for community arts and crafts.

Is the Central Coast well resourced now?

Gosford Council has taken its arts role seriously; it has a Cultural Plan and it oversees a number of initiatives including festivals that engage the community. However, there is need for greater investment in the arts. Gosford Art Gallery is very attractive but it is small and it could be expanded to house larger exhibitions and perhaps develop a permanent collection. The venues for music performance are inadequate and a concert hall is needed. Drama is served by Laycock Street and the Little Theatre but these venues are not easily accessible by public transport, and with an expanding population, they may prove to be inadequate in size.

What are the strongest and weakest aspects of art culture locally?

Community arts are strong but there are limited opportunities for maintaining professional ensembles due to lack of funding.

What are the benefits to the community of art? How would you rank them in terms of what you would work towards if elected?

If elected, I would regard the arts as having a high priority, with an important role in reinforcing community identity and nurturing community well-being. While there are pressing issues such as climate change, the environment, public health and public transport occupying centre stage, I see the arts playing a vital role not only in expressing individuality but also as an important way of conveying messages of change as we face unprecedented challenges such as rises in temperature, loss of species, water shortages and Peak Oil.

How would you rank art in relation to other sectors of community and civic life?

I would rank the arts highly along with cultural activities as a means of engaging with the community and providing educative and entertainment value, and as a potential source of employment for young people. The arts contribute to community well-being and are valuable for the retired and older people in the community as well as nurturing the creative talents of the young.

What would be your key priorities for the arts in the Gosford City Plan (what and where)?

Key priority is a multi-purpose cultural facility including a concert hall, smaller rooms for drama, dance and other performance, arthouse cinema, theatre, cafes and restaurants in a purpose-built complex in the Gosford CBD, somewhere on the waterfront. It should include the new Gosford City Library and the Central Coast Conservatorium and it would be linked to Gosford by public transport. It would not only attract visiting performers to Gosford, and establish Gosford as a centre of music excellence, it would also provide a meeting place and a range of activities for the increasing population of the Gosford CBD.

What is your attitude to the presentation of controversial and perhaps disturbing contemporary art works?

Freedom of expression is fundamental to the arts and the ability of all artists to comment on the nature of our society must be preserved as part of the structure of a just and democratic society.

What funding and infrastructure resources would you seek to secure for sustainable development of the arts in the region?

If elected I would establish a lobbying team making representations to the Minister and Arts NSW to seek project funding for developments such as the concert hall complex, and on-going funding to support community arts and other developing initiatives.

Back Page wishes to thank Hillary for being first ‘cab off the rank” and for the time and consideration she has given to the questions. She would also like to draw your attention to the NSW Greens’ Arts Policy on their website.