,
artists said they were attracted to Geraldton's lifestyle and area because of the supportive culture and
,
more affordable housing and rent compared to Perth. au/creativehotspots/
5
FINAL v2 19 May 2020
Strategic theme 1: What are the interrelationships across the sub-sectors
of the creative industries?
There are three key elements in the vibrant arts and culture ecosystem of Geraldton:
a long-term community-led arts and culture scene
prominent local arts institutions with publicly funded staff
a spirit of arts entrepreneurship. These include renovated buildings such as the Geraldton Regional Art Gallery and La Residencia.
SCINEMA
Spirit Radio
Project Geraldton - part of project
North Midlands
Midwest Arts Awards
Queens Park Theater
The Residency
Film Harvest Midwest
Sunshine Festival, Nukara Mulle Music Festival
and Wildflower Festival
Festival Hydro Wind and Fontavia. The group was composed of two performing-arts practitioners, five visual artists, Chair of
the Geraldton Cultural Trust, a CGG representative with cultural responsibilities, and the manager and a staff
member from the Geraldton Regional Art Gallery. com)
Fiona Shallcross, Project Manager (Tourism), Midwest Development Commission
Bruce Sherwood, Principal, Eastman Poletti Sherwood Architects
Rob Smallwood, Digital Economy, Mid West Development Commission
Susan Smith, Community and Cultural Development, Manager City of Greater Geraldton
Mayor Shane Van Styn, City of Greater Geraldton
Pieter Vorster, Economic Development, City of Greater Geraldton
Sara Walker, Acting Coordinator Art Gallery and Cultural Development, Geraldton Regional Art Gallery
Savanah Wilkinson, Artist
We also acknowledge the assistance of Nicki Hall and Vivien Clifford in undertaking this research. However, we saw evidence of some disconnection
within the local arts and culture system, and the need for more joined-up facilitation. Comparison with other Australian regions and
towns studied, through over 300 interviews, is an important component of how our views have been shaped
in this report. The discussion centred on a number of
issues:
pre-existing community cultural groups and the evolution of a new chapter in the functioning of the
community arts scene in Geraldton
access to venues and production spaces and their availability or lack thereof
the lack of connection and communication between artists and between the different local arts
organisations (i. The opportunity to connect with other artists was
welcome but the lack of Aboriginal representatives was noted.