Have your say: Draft Maroondah Arts and Cultural Development Strategy 2020-2025 now open for comment

A draft strategy outlining Council’s vision to grow, support and promote the arts, culture and creative industries in Maroondah is now available for

Members of the community are invited to share their views on the draft Maroondah Arts and Cultural Development Strategy 2020-2025, with feedback due by 9 February 2020.

The draft Strategy has been developed through a 12-month process of review, research and consultation, with significant input and advice from the Maroondah Arts and Advisory Committee (MAAC) as well as community feedback. It sets out a vision and key directions for arts and cultural development over the next five years.

Maroondah Mayor and MAAC chair, Cr Mike Symon, said Maroondah was a vibrant and connected community recognised for its creativity and innovation, and for its celebration and promotion of excellence in arts and culture.

“The story of Maroondah owes much to its many cultural strengths, its active and creative community and its popular and successful arts facilities, programs and events,” Cr Symon said.

“Culture is more than just visual arts and performance. It includes shared values, traditions and people coming together from different backgrounds. It is an important element of individual and community wellbeing, contributes to our sense of place, and helps us to share our stories and celebrate our cultural heritage,” he said.

The draft Strategy reaffirms Council’s commitment to provide increased opportunities and access to cultural experiences, while building on the City’s existing arts and cultural assets, programs and activities.

“Together with the community we have been building arts and culture as part of everyday life for residents and visitors to Maroondah – from public art projects to the introduction of new arts spaces and programs, particularly Realm and within the Ringwood arts precinct,” he said.

“Other exciting developments, such as the Croydon Community Precinct and further building the activation and profile of the Ringwood arts precinct, will only strengthen the arts and creative participation across Maroondah.

“The next five years will be another exciting and productive period for arts and cultural development in Maroondah as we continue to implement the community’s vision and build on Maroondah’s standing as a destination for the arts,” Cr Symon added.

Through consultations and research undertaken for the strategy, three key outcome areas have emerged that will focus the work of Council and its partners over the next five years to achieve the community’s vision. These are:

“Since the launch of Council’s first arts and cultural strategy in 2014, Maroondah has experienced unprecedented growth in participation, attendance, profile and support for the arts and cultural activity across our established venues at Realm, Maroondah Federation Estate Gallery, Wyreena Community Arts Centre and Karralyka,” Cr Symon said.

“Visitation and participation to exhibitions, installations events and activities programmed as part of the Ringwood arts precinct alone have attracted over 130,000 visitors in the past year.

“In addition to the great programs on offer in Maroondah’s arts facilities, our community has said they want to see the arts as part of their everyday lives.

“There are many histories and stories associated with Maroondah. Indigenous arts and culture is very important to Maroondah, and cultural diversity is increasing with newly arriving communities. Arts and culture can provide inspiring and transformative ways of raising awareness and building appreciation of all our peoples.

“Council thanks everyone who contributed their ideas and vision for arts, culture and the creative industries in Maroondah through our online forum, community workshop and face-to-face discussions, as well as the people who help to build that culture and who attend Maroondah arts programs each year.

“I encourage residents to now review the draft Strategy and provide their feedback to help us deliver a strategy which positions Maroondah as a major player in arts and culture, and which helps to promote the wellbeing of all our people,” he said.

The draft Maroondah Arts and Cultural Development Strategy will be on public exhibition until 9 February, with the final draft of the strategy scheduled to be presented to Council for adoption in March 2020.

For more information, phone our Arts and Cultural Development Team on 1300 88 22 33.