The Artlands extravaganza which brought artists, delegates, arts and culture leaders, dignitaries and visitors to Dubbo and provided a high-level cultural experience for the community will have lasting effects.
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Acquiring Artlands in the first place was, in itself, a work of art long in the making. Staging it was a feather in the city’s cap.
Estimates say it brought $300,000 into Dubbo’s economy. The city is always on the look out for a boost from events.
But, the event was a tribute to the community’s commitment to arts and culture. It was recognition of long-term investment in those areas and foresight in developing them.
The Dubbo event was the first time Artlands, a biennial event, had been staged in NSW in 14 years.
And it was a major credit to the foresight of civic leaders and figures in the arts and culture sector to learn that Regional Arts NSW had not called for bids before selecting Dubbo as the venue.
Certainly Artlands gave the community in Dubbo and the Orana region the opportunity to see things which would normally only be available to residents in metropolitan areas. And it was a golden chance for artists throughout the region to participate in a major arts event.
It also included a conference giving artists, art groups and audiences a platform to discuss a wide range of issues around regional art.
While some in the community might have little interest in art and other cultural activities, the event – deemed a great success – will see delegates become “ambassadors” for Dubbo and hopefully by word-of-mouth help send other significant events and more tourists our way.
Leaders from Regional Arts Australia and Regional Arts NSW gave high praise to the city, its people and facilities … among other things.
They are the kind of recommendations you cannot buy.
The Artlands legacy will have various effects on different individuals and groups. Artists and the general cultural sector will be inspired and delighted with their performance.
The experience from other centres that have been hosts was that people want to do more in the field and the conversation on art and culture changed.
Artlands 2016 has created a new canvas and a bigger palette with more colours for the city. All we have to do is start painting.