The City of Yarra has adopted its new vision for the arts in Yarra, the Arts and Culture Strategy 2022 to 2026.

“Thank you to everyone who has been involved in providing comment and feedback through this process to shape the new strategy,” said a Council representative.

“The process to develop the strategy included asking the community what they already loved about the arts in Yarra, what people would like to see more of, and what we can do to support creativity in Yarra.

“From this research and discovery process, Council developed the priorities to guide the new Arts and Culture Strategy.

“The COVID-19 restrictions delayed the strategy’s development, but in 2021, further community consultation gave rise to the initiatives and actions that achieve these priorities.

The new strategy has five key priorities:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and cultures are at the heart of Yarra
• Artists are essential to a thriving Yarra
• Arts and culture shape Yarra’s places and spaces
• We celebrate and support our creative and diverse community
• Arts contribute to an ecologically sustainable future

“As we continue to grow and shape some or our regular programs, such as our grants opportunities and Room to Create, there will also be many new initiatives for creatives and the broader community to engage in and benefit from.

“This will include a greater presence of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voice and culture, and supporting the creative community in pursuit of more environmentally sustainable practices,” the Council statement said.