Noosa Cultural Plan 2019-2023 Implementation Update · Att 1 - 2023 Cultural Plan Report

Executive summary
The Noosa Cultural Plan 2019-2023 aligned with Council’s Operational Plan 2019, subsequent annual Operational Plans and the Corporate
Plan 2023-2028 to provide direction and purpose to Council’s commitment of growing and supporting arts and cultural practice and
engagement.

The Noosa Cultural Plan 2019-2023 has been the guiding document for Council’s activity in the arts and cultural space, ensuring a
planned and strategic approach to arts and cultural services through a period of significant challenge and change. The plan was based
around 6 themes: History & Heritage, Knowledge & Learning, Places & Spaces, People & Participation, Cultural Economy and The Digital
Future.

Major achievements during the period of the plan included the development of the Heritage Noosa online platform with over 15,000
items (and growing), the expansion of Outreach Library Services including the implementation of two book-vending kiosks and a new
mobile Library vehicle, presentation of the Floating Land outdoor art biennale exhibition in 2019, 2021 and 2023, ongoing commitment
to the RADF grants program in partnership with Arts QLD and multiple COVID-19 recovery related programs hosted across Council’s arts
and cultural facilities.

During the period of the Cultural Plan significant exploratory work was undertaken to research the feasibility and benefits of a new
Noosa Regional Art Gallery. Two pre-feasibility studies were completed by consultants Outside The Square, leading to the engagement
in late 2023 of Knight Frank Australia to complete a detailed business case for the proposed project. Community feedback has been
overwhelmingly positive towards the prospect of a modern cultural space that celebrates the Noosa region and its creative capital. In
the face of an existing gallery that is no longer fit-for-purpose, this major piece of infrastructure is essential to support our region’s
creative practitioners and nurture a culturally literate, engaged and healthy community.

Council’s support of arts and cultural practice and engagement throughout the reporting period recognises the crucial role the arts play
in nurturing a healthy, resilient and connected community. Council’s arts and cultural initiatives directly increased community wellbeing,
helped the community in times of crisis, reduced loneliness and isolation and created a sense of community identity.

At the conclusion of 2023, the final year of the Cultural Plan, over 92% of Plan actions were either completed or underway. This is a major
achievement for Council’s Arts & Cultural team, the many volunteers that assist Council’s arts and cultural services and the community
groups that partner with Council to provide access to cultural experiences.