Results of Regional Arts Australia's national consultation
Regional Arts Australia has released its goals for the next five years after completing a national consultation across the country.
Announcement of the goals were released to coincide with a national roundtable discussion in November, opened by the Hon Peter Garrett AM MP, with chairs and CEOs of regional arts agencies, service and advocacy bodies, regional media, philanthropic sector, economic development sector and regional not-for-profit organisations.
The national roundtable follows Regional Arts Australia's national consultation conducted in June and July 2009 with people engaged in the arts and cultural development, allied regional organisations, national organisations with significant regional interests, state, territory and local government representatives.
During the consultation, 25 meetings with community members and civic leaders were held in 18 locations across regional Australia with approximately 750 people engaged directly from 780 organisations. 9 meetings were held with 80 allied peak bodies, government and stakeholder organisations in capital cities from all States and the Northern Territory. 3,188 people directly completed the online survey, representing 875 organisations. In excess of 85,000 people were represented in this consultation.
Accessible Arts attended the national consultation in Bathurst, to submit information from the findings of the 'Speak Up' forums held throughout regional NSW in 2008, giving voice to the experience of people with disability from the regions.
Regional Arts Australia has identified five key priority areas for the next five years:
- Building a strong sense of purpose and identity
- Developing inclusive and resilient communities
- Engaging young people in creating regional futures
- Health and wellbeing
- Environmental sustainability
RAA has released a new publication "Creating a better life for regional Australians" which outlines the issues, goals and actions related to these five areas.
To find out more about the consultation and outcomes, please visit the national consultation page on the Regional Arts Australia website.
To receive a hard copy of the brochure, contact the Regional Arts NSW tel: 02 9270 2509.