ARTS Mid North Coast (AMNC) has welcomed the NSW Government’s launch of “Heartland: A Plan for Regional NSW Arts, Culture and Creative Industries 2026–2035”, backed by a $5.2 million investment aimed at strengthening arts, culture and creative industries across regional NSW.
AMNC is the Regional Arts Development Organisation (RADO) and peak body for arts and creative industries across the Coffs Harbour, Bellingen, Nambucca Valley, Kempsey, Port Macquarie-Hastings and Mid Coast LGAs.
The “Heartland” plan identifies six strategic priorities designed to support growth, drive innovation and embed inclusion, and to address the unique opportunities and challenges faced by regional NSW:
● Champion regional First Nations arts and culture
● Strengthen regional partnerships and networks
● Unlock regional creative spaces
● Open doors to regional creative careers
● Showcase regional storytelling and creative innovation
● Amplify statewide arts and cultural tourism
According to Arts Mid North Coast, the plan opens new opportunities for collaboration through funding streams such as the Regional NSW Strategic Partnerships Program, which supports co-investment between councils, cultural organisations and community partners.
It also includes establishing a RADO Sustainability Fund to restore funding levels and support the long-term stability of the RADO network.
Arts Mid North Coast Executive Director Olivia Parker was part of the Regional Plan Working Group that worked alongside Create NSW to help shape the strategy.
“We are pleased to see the NSW Government’s commitment to a dedicated strategy and funding for regional arts- a significant milestone,” said Ms Parker.
“The recognition of RADOs, such as Arts Mid North Coast, as essential to the regional arts ecosystem is especially encouraging.
“The work we do in supporting artists, delivering programs, and fostering partnerships will be key to achieving the goals of this plan.”
Arts Mid North Coast sees this as a valuable opportunity to collaborate with Local Government, health, education, tourism, business and community sectors across the region.
“Extensive community consultation emphasised the important role of arts and culture in bringing people together, keeping young people in our communities and supporting community wellbeing,” said Ms Parker.
“We also know that the Arts are a key economic driver, and by strengthening strategic partnerships, we can collectively enhance and expand cultural activity on the Mid North Coast.”
You can help your local paper.
Make a small once-off, or (if you can) a regular donation.
We are an independent family owned business and our newspapers are free to collect and our news stories are free online.
Help support us into the future.
