Literature Review : The Contribution of Social and Cultural Infrastructure to Liveability

This literature review was commissioned to support the Northern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (NSROC) in obtaining a better understanding of the role of social and cultural infrastructure in enhancing regional liveability. The review of research and policy initiatives is across 15 Australian and 6 international reports which discuss the value of social and cultural infrastructure, and its relationship with liveability. From this review, it was clear that not only is there no single, definitive understanding of social and cultural infrastructure, but social infrastructure often embraces cultural infrastructure in conceptual terms. For this reason, the report proposes that the synthetic notions of culturally-focused social infrastructure and/or socially-focused cultural infrastructure are used in the interests of flexibility and feasibility

Creative Production Synergies in Penrith and the Blue Mountains

Regional leadership in arts and cultural production is evident in Penrith and the Blue Mountains through the different yet complementary approaches of the City Councils. This research project began in August 2019, the interview phase was completed in early December 2019, and this report was completed in June 2020. Therefore, the research spanned a very challenging period of drought and severe bushfires over the summer across New South Wales, followed almost immediately by the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses in arts and recreation services were among the first and most severely affected by the need to enforce Government social distancing restrictions, with 94 per cent of the sector reporting an adverse impact of the Government restrictions in the March Business COVID-19 survey (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2020). This report has shown the need for investment in creative production capacity building – a need which has now significantly increased

Wicked Urban Challenges in Western Sydney: Researchers Respond

The purpose of this publication is to provide critical insights and perspectives around how to tackle four of Western Sydney’s wicked urban challenges, and ensure our region is prepared for the future, namely: job/housing imbalances and inadequate infrastructure investment; declining housing affordability; cultural infrastructure disparities; extreme urban heat. Our aim is that this publication continues the debate generated in the online forum, ‘Wicked urban challenges in Western Sydney: researchers respond’, held in October 2021. The event was sponsored by Western Sydney University (WSU). The university is a modern, forward-thinking, research-led university, located at the heart of the Western Sydney region. Boasting 12 campuses (many in CBD locations) and more than 170,000 alumni, 48,000 students and 3,000 staff, the university has 14 Schools with an array of well-designed programs and courses carefully structured to meet the demands of future industry. The event was organised through the University’s Urban Living Futures and Society Research Theme and formed part of the University’s 2021 Research Week, called ‘Bold Research Futures’. This theme had real resonance with what was discussed that day. Over 160 people attended this highly interactive forum, right across the built environment profession and other key professions. The invitation, however, had gone wider, to many people living and working in Western Sydney and beyond. The event brought together our researchers, government, industry, and our local community to challenge conventional policy thinking and offer new ways to solve these four wicked urban challenges in Western Sydney (as outlined above). The remainder of this report provides a summary of four of WSU’s leading urban researchers’ presentations, as delivered on the day. Each of the academics draw from the strategic programs of work being carried out by multi-disciplinary teams across our university. Each brings fresh perspectives and insights to our understanding of the challenges that Western Sydney faces and offers bold policy solutions and initiatives

Planning Cultural Infrastructure for the City of Parramatta: A Research Report

Parramatta is dramatically changing, cultural practices are shifting, and the demands on cultural infrastructure are becoming increasingly complex. This report provides the necessary research and information to assist the City of Parramatta in determining its strategic priorities regarding the development of cultural infrastructure in the City. There are three components of the report - Audit, Benchmarking, and Needs Analysis. Part 1 of this report provides an audit of Parramatta’s cultural infrastructure, its patronage and future needs and trends. It provides a realistic assessment of the gaps in existing cultural infrastructure and facilities in Parramatta and of how the cultural needs of its current and future populations are met. Part 2 of this report provides key data regarding a selection of relevant national and international cities for comparison with Parramatta. Part 3 of this report describes the specific short-term and medium-term needs for investment and planning required to bring Parramatta’s cultural infrastructure profile to that of world-class regional cultural capital

State arts service organisations : effective, engaged but endangered

This week the NSW government’s arts funding arm, Create NSW, removed or significantly reduced funding to arts service organisations including Writing NSW, Playwriting Australia, the National Association of Visual Artists (NAVA) and Ausdance NSW. This short-sighted trend of cutting funding to arts organisations began several years ago. It is particularly objectionable at a time of a pandemic when support for creativity is needed more than ever. The arts are valued in their own right and as contributors to social and cultural inclusion, and should be recognised as part of an essential element in any COVID-19 recovery

Artist activism in a cultural policy void

This chapter analyses the activation of artist involvement in the cultural policy process between 2015 and 2018. It argues that in the absence of a national cultural policy and leadership, and in response initially to the budget cuts of 2015, artists from the SME sector took up the political challenge to advocate the value of their social, economic and aesthetic contributions. The chapter draws on data from submissions to the ‘Senate Estimates Impact of the 2014 and 2015 Commonwealth Budget decisions on the Arts’ (the Inquiry) and an analysis of the activities of the Arts Front network, which explicitly sought to mobilise groups of artists across Australia towards the creation of a ten-year ‘Australian Cultural Compact’, which is a new vision for the arts in Australia. This chapter contributes to the debates about the dynamics of artist-led policy frameworks

Planning Cultural Infrastructure for the City of Parramatta: Phase 2 Precinct Report

This Phase 2 Research Report of the City of Parramatta "Cultural Infrastructure and Investment Strategy 2039" articulates the opportunities and needs for arts and cultural infrastructure beyond the immediate CBD and North Parramatta. Its decision making principles are the same as those for Phase 1, being based on the need to address the City’s expressed desire to embrace all types of cultural activity and space within its classification framework, and to encompass all the creative value chain dimensions according to its internationally-informed model of the cultural cycle (see elaboration of the framework and model below). The rationale for its priority framework is consistent with Phase 1’s aim of turning Parramatta into “a dynamic regional cultural hub, successfully catering and sensitive to the diverse cultural needs and interests of residents, workers, visitors and people from the Greater Western Sydney region” (p. 14). It is founded on the requirement to realise this aim imaginatively, equitably and sustainably, capitalising on Parramatta LGA’s growth while securing its future as a major urban centre that attracts and retains a substantial creative workforce making a significant contribution to the local cultural economy

The Social Impact of NSW Arts, Screen and Culture Programs

The purpose of the report is to provide an analysis demonstrating the social benefits of arts and culture to the NSW community. This report was commissioned to assist Create NSW gain insights into the social impacts of arts, screen and culture programs and the role that arts and cultural policy can play in supporting programs that have positive social outcomes. It also considers the valuable work currently being done by Create NSW with respect to social impact. This study represents the first attempt to take a broad view of this important issue in the NSW arts, screen and culture sector and thus should be seen as a pilot study or starting point for understanding how the arts are mobilised to engage with social issues across this state

Final Report: Planning for Parramatta’s Cultural Infrastructure

The "Cultural Infrastructure and Investment Strategy 2021-2040" was Commissioned by the City of Parramatta. The Strategy is designed to: *Identify priorities for future cultural infrastructure that will consolidate Parramatta as a desirable destination to live, work and play; *Assist with a strategic and coordinated approach within Council to advance the delivery of cultural infrastructure within the City; *Direct sound decision making about planning, funding, delivering and negotiating for cultural infrastructure over the next 20 years; *Capitalise on the growth and development underway in the City of Parramatta, and to advocate more effectively during planning proposal negotiations for cultural facilities aligned with community needs; and *Investigate selected precincts and industrial lands across the City for their potential to support cultural infrastructure, and to review planning regulations and building controls with a view to removing existing barriers to cultural uses. The Strategy explores a range of funding options and priorities for investment in cultural infrastructure. It centres on Parramatta CBD and North Parramatta and several ‘precincts of Parramatta’ which include: Westmead; Sydney Olympic Park; Camellia; Harris Park; Epping; Rydalmere; North Rocks and Silverwater