Cultural Plan 2013-2016 final.pdf - Coffs Harbour City Council ...

As adopted by Council on 28 February 2013
1. Introduction
Culture encompasses imaginative, intellectual and artistic activity by individuals, groups and
communities. It is through culture that people interpret their experiences, and express their
ideas. For the purposes of this policy, the term “culture” includes but is not limited to:
arts – music, performing arts, literature, film and visual arts
creative industries – businesses selling products and services often with significant
design and media elements 1 ;
language – specifically Aboriginal languages and community languages;
community celebrations – such as Curry Fest and Harmony Day;
built environment – the human designed aspects of the places where we live; and
heritage and history – memories, traditions and experiences, sometimes expressed in
objects, documents or stories.
Coffs Harbour enjoys an active and diverse cultural life. In a world that is increasingly
competing for skilled residents and tourists, Coffs Harbour needs to build on its strengths in
its people, location, and resources. Developing the capacity and furthering the depth of our
cultural life, grows the attractiveness of Coffs Harbour for both residents and visitors.
The Coffs Harbour 2030 Plan (the 2030 Plan) outlines the key steps to allow the community
to achieve its goals for the quality of life of present and future residents. These goals range
across many areas of community life, consolidating around the ideas of sustainability, social
justice and social and economic progress. In 2008, after extensive community consultation,
Council endorsed the 2030 Plan as its map for the future of Coffs Harbour.
In line with the 2030 Plan, the new Cultural Policy and Cultural Plan will:
1) guide the cultural development of Coffs Harbour;
2) articulate the roles of the community and the Council in that development; and
3) establish priorities for community and Council action 2013-2016.
The Cultural Policy (the Policy) and the Cultural Plan (the Plan) will help the Council and the
community to integrate and focus their efforts in significant areas which enhance the quality
of people’s lives through:
• creative expression;
1
For a detailed definitions of “arts” and “creative industries” please see Attachment B
Page 7