The City of Adelaide is developing a new Cultural Policy aimed at promoting and strengthening the city’s unique cultural identity and opportunities. A Cultural Policy will provide the framework for future decisions in relation to culture.
The development of a Cultural Policy must have the community it serves at its core. Culture, just like the city, is about people, and so the Cultural Policy will be developed through stages of consultation and planning.
Your input is crucial!
We’re in the early stages, and we need your feedback to strengthen, clarify or expand on the Themes and Priorities we’ve shared in our discussion paper.
Your feedback will guide the development of the Cultural Policy and help ensure the final policy reflects your vision and views for the cultural life of Adelaide through to 2036.
The project has two main stages:
The Cultural Policy will outline Council’s role, its vision, goals and priorities, and how it will evaluate and communicate the impact of its investment and efforts towards a culturally vibrant, socially inclusive and equitable city. Culture and creativity are critical to the City of Adelaide’s future prosperity, wellbeing and social cohesion, and the City of Adelaide is a custodian of this future.
We are currently in Stage 1 of the project. Feedback closes 5:00pm, Friday, 31 January 2025.
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The City of Adelaide Strategic Plan 2024-2028 committed to the development of a Cultural Policy in that will be applicable to all areas of Council and its subsidiaries.
It is proposed that this Policy will operate over a ten-year timeframe and will be supported by strategies and action plans developed in alignment with the annual Business Plan and Budget process.
The Cultural Policy will reflect Council’s leadership role and responsibilities as the governing body for the Capital City of South Australia, and its commitments to sustainable development as part of Adelaide’s designation as a UNESCO Creative City and City of Music.
Essential to the success of the Cultural Policy is its alignment with Federal and State Government policy directions and fostering strategic partnerships with governments, the private and not-for-profit sectors, and community groups.
A commitment in the City of Adelaide’s 2024-2028 Strategic Plan is that our community will be vibrant, connected and inclusive. Council’s objective is to:
This Cultural Policy will assist Council to achieve its ambition for the City of Adelaide to be an interesting and engaging place to live, learn and visit, with an inclusive, equitable and welcoming community where people feel a sense of belonging.
The Cultural Policy will reinforce the City of Adelaide’s reputation as a creative city that values culture and enhances everyday life.
Why does the City of Adelaide need a Cultural Policy?
The City of Adelaide currently does not have a Cultural Policy, and the existing Arts and Cultural Strategy (2017-2023) is due for review. This presents an opportunity for the Council to collaborate with the community on a new Cultural Policy for 2025 – 2036 that will:
What is Culture?
The right to participate in the cultural life of the community is a fundamental and universal human right. Culture enriches our lives, fostering creativity, and celebrating our identity. It encompasses our way of life, values, traditions, and beliefs, as well as the arts, heritage, and creative industries. Culture is expressed through various forms such as art, architecture, festivals, food, language, literature, and music.
The City of Adelaide’s Cultural Policy defines culture as including:
How does Culture contribute to our city?
A city's culture shapes its identity, fostering belonging through traditions, festivals, and landmarks. Cultural activities bring communities together, promoting connection and tolerance in shared spaces. Access to cultural venues enhances quality of life and wellbeing by providing leisure, learning opportunities, and social interaction. Cultural investments revitalise neighbourhoods and attract creative talent, driving innovation and economic growth. The cultural industries, including tourism and arts, significantly contribute to the economy by creating jobs and supporting local businesses.
Find out more about the Themes and Priorities.
People are at the Centre of our City and its Culture
Nurture the ability for the community to connect with culture and express their creativity. Improve our city’s appeal, liveability and global profile, through accessible and high-quality cultural experiences, including public art, events and festivals that reflect Adelaide’s unique heritage and stories.
Honouring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ Continuous Culture
Honour and strengthen awareness of Kaurna culture and connection to Country as central to Adelaide’s identity and future.
Celebrating Multiculturalism and Respecting Diversity and Traditions
Observe, fund and facilitate Adelaide’s cultural traditions including national commemorative days, festive events and other social practices. Provide inclusive and respectful opportunities for people of all cultures, backgrounds, ages and abilities to participate in the cultural life of the city.
Adelaide is Australia’s Cultural and Creative Capital
Provide a city-wide approach to embed music, culture and heritage preservation in policy, place and community. Amplify Adelaide’s UNESCO City of Music designation and our leadership as Australia’s creative and cultural capital.
The City’s Culture is Connected to our Built and Natural Heritage
Respect, protect and strengthen our world class architecture, cultural assets, collections, and environment. Ensure our cultural identity is easily accessible by the community through engaging and discoverable interpretation and digital resources.
Creativity and Culture Drives our City’s Future
Advance the role of culture in enriching the life of the city, our people and the environment. Raise our profile as a creative and cultural capital for the development of the city into the future and the wellbeing of local communities.
Timeline item 1 - active
Stage 1 - Workshops
November 2024 - December 2024
Workshops with stakeholders on the draft Cultural Policy, including a Live Music Forum and a Culture Forum
Timeline item 2 - active
Stage 1 - Community Consultation
December 2024 - January 2025:
Community consultation through Our Adelaide, meetings, and public activations.
Timeline item 3 - incomplete
Draft Cultural Policy Development
2025:
Feedback to be considdered and provided to Council to help shapethe draft Cultural Policy
Timeline item 4 - incomplete
Stage 2 - Community Consultation of draft Cultural Policy
2025
We will seek your feedback on the draft Cultural Policy.