What?

The Cairns Regional Council five-year Strategy for Culture and Arts 2022 was developed in parallel with the Cairns Regional Council Corporate Plan 2017-2022.

In a region that is celebrated for its unique environment and diverse peoples Council would like your help to ensure a new plan (Creative Life Strategy) is tailored to needs of our community, our creatives, businesses and visitors to the region.

Objectives of the Creative Life Strategy

The Creative Life Strategy will identify broad objectives for community and cultural developments in the area. It aims to:

  • Support a rich and diverse culture through accessible public facilities and community initiatives.
  • Strengthen Cairns reputation as the Arts and Cultural Capital of Northern Australia.
  • Build vibrancy through community events and activities.
  • Support social and community groups.
  • Ensure culture, heritage and place are valued, shared and celebrated.

What we’ve accomplished in the last five-years:

Over the last five years, research has demonstrated that arts and culture:

  • Enhance community wellbeing
  • Fosters new audiences for cultural venues and creative spaces
  • Increased conservation and appreciation of the region’s significant heritage and cultural
  • Encouraged creative excellence and innovation
  • Strengthened community expectations including visible, engaging, accessible and vibrant spaces and places
  • Strengthened our national and international identity as a destination for arts and culture

(Data Source: Strategy for Culture and the Arts 2022 Report Card)

Join us in shaping the future of Culture and Art in Cairns!

Council will review recommendations from the previous plan, in collaboration with feedback from community members, industry experts, audiences, Councillors and stakeholders. A new Creative Life strategy will be curated that aims to continue to foster a vibrant, creative and inclusive culture and arts community.

Timeline

  • Timeline item 1 - active

    Stage One - September 2024 - March 2025

    Consultation Opens

  • Timeline item 2 - incomplete

    Stage Two - February - March 2025

    Draft Strategy

  • Timeline item 3 - incomplete

    Stage Three - April-May 2025

    Final Strategy