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

As adopted by Council on 28 February 2013
Attachment D:
Responses to Online Community Consultation
Please note – this is a summary of responses. For original, individual responses in full please see
www.coffsculture.wordpress.com
Questions 1 – 3
What should the Council and the community’s priorities be in the visual arts in Coffs Harbour?
What activities could add more life to the City Centre?
What is cultural life like in Coffs Harbour now?
The opinion of many forum participants is that, although Coffs Harbour has performed strongly in some areas –
such as with the Coffs Harbour Regional Conservatorium – there are limitations for a vibrant cultural life.
There are few gallery spaces and no concert hall – many expressed a desire for a modern flexible
performing space with the capacity to host performances by orchestra and ballet as well as local
performing arts groups.
A number of participants discussed the need for a centralised website for a cultural what’s on /
information source.
Other participants were not sure that enough community members could/would afford the ticket price for
the type of events which require large venues.
The Regional Gallery was praised but its small size was seen to limit its activities.
It was suggested that Council facilitate the involvement of the arts and/or live music in community events
like fairs, agricultural shows and sports events.
It was also suggested that places like bookshops, studios, and coffee shops be encouraged to take part
in cultural events, readings and live music.
A program could be initiated to use currently untenanted commercial premises for artists’ spaces and
“pop-up” galleries, as has happened in ‘Renew Newcastle’.
The Council’s cultural “What’s On” newsletter was praised.
One participant advised that the Sawtell Art Group is in the process of building a community art centre.
Although the cultural scene in the region is disjointed, one writer believes that few local residents feel
culturally deprived and emphasised the role that commercial venues such as clubs can play as venues.
One participant noted there seems to be little Council support for public art, or to maintain the public
sculptures we have.
Question 4:
What should be different three to five years from now?
Coffs needs a strong sense of place and identity.
There should be a network bringing together arts and creative industry people in Coffs.
There should be some specific research into the town planning aspects of creating a cultural precinct.
We need an architecturally significant Arts Centre that would be a notable attraction and centralise our
cultural arts, including an indigenous gallery and centre, and perhaps other themed galleries such as
surfing, the harbour, rural life, even sport – with a gallery shop and cafe, making the visit a total
experience.
Page 75