A new arts strategy for Nelson City is underway

Nelson City Council is developing a new arts strategy for the region to support the growth of a stronger creative sector in Whakatū Nelson. Council was successful in attracting funding of $30,000 to support the strategy from Creative New Zealand.

It has been more than 12 years since the city developed an arts strategy and this new strategy will guide innovation and creation in the city over the coming decade and help Nelson realise the full potential of the creative sector and the economic and community wellbeing outcomes that it supports.  
 
A working group has been appointed to guide the development of the strategy which is being chaired by Deputy Mayor Judene Edgar. Other members of the group are Councillor Pete Rainey and Councillor Tim Skinner. The work will be supported by local strategy firm OD&Co with lead facilitators Johny O’Donnell and Ali Boswijk. 
 
“This strategy will be an opportunity for Nelson to truly make its mark and develop a future focused arts strategy that attracts investment and support from across the community,” says Judene Edgar, the arts strategy working group chair. 
 
“COVID-19 has been really tough on the creative sector and unless we focus on the arts, we risk losing more of the great talent we have here. This strategy is about realising the opportunity we have before us and making the most of it as a city.” 
 
The public will be invited to participate in this process early in the new year.