The City of Melville’s ‘Cultural Vitality Plan 2011-2014’ is the first ever three-year plan for the City, with its aim being to enhance and support cultural development throughout the community.
One year in and Melville is celebrating the many initiatives carried out under the auspices of the ‘Cultural Vitality Plan’, such as free community events, thousands of dollars in funding for local community groups, new ways for artists and creatives to interact, and plans to enhance the natural environment and develop Aboriginal culture.
City of Melville Mayor Russell Aubrey said culture is one of the City’s most valuable assets and the development of the ‘Cultural Vitality Plan’ provides strategic direction to manage, preserve and enhance Melville’s cultural resources.
Based on community feedback, the plan identified seven cultural vitality goals over three years, each relating to a different cultural resource area, including local places, arts and cultural events and activities, arts and cultural organisations and groups, creative capital, history and cultural heritage, cultural and linguistic diversity of the community and active citizenship.
“With year one now behind us, this is an opportunity to celebrate some of the actions undertaken and achievements already made that contribute to a more active, vibrant and connected community,” he said.
“Over the last year, the City has hosted more than a dozen free community events, such as Point Walter Family Concert, the Art Awards and outdoor film nights, as well as supporting more than 40 local community groups, through Community Partnership Funding, in delivering local events and activities, including the inaugural Carols at Kadidjini Park and the monthly Canning Bridge Art Markets.
“A Facebook page called ‘Melville Arts and Creatives’ was established and, with an ever growing network, provides a new avenue for emerging and established artists, cultural groups and creative people in the City of Melville to connect. An Arts eNewsletter has also been created for the general community,” said Mayor Aubrey.
Other year one actions include the ‘Natural Areas Asset Management Plan’, to guide the City’s management of bushland areas such as Booragoon and Blue Gum Lakes; the development of a ‘Volunteer Management Plan’, to drive a best practice volunteer management system; and the installation of three large scale public artworks located across Melville as part of the City’s Public Art Strategy.
“Over the next year the City will implement second year actions of the ‘Cultural Vitality Plan’ to bring more diverse arts and cultural development to our City,” Mayor Aubrey said.
