It was hot work over January but happily the Draft Arts and Cultural Policy and the Development Plan for the Flinders Shire have been completed and delivered. Over the next few weeks Council and the community will have an opportunity to review the Draft Policy and Plan and provide their feedback. Hopefully it will then be a smooth process through to completion and final presentation. With the recently completed Public Art Development Plan as well as the Arts and Cultural Plan finally in place, Flinders will have a sound, innovative platform from which to continue to support the creative and cultural life of the community and enhance visitor experiences.

This ground breaking project, undertaken in conjunction with the University of the Sunshine Coast and the Sunshine Coast Council, is now moving into its next exciting stage. Following the extensive literature review and development of the evaluation model, the research team is about to embark on the primary research phase where the model is put to the test, after which the final adjustments will be made. The outcome will be a comprehensive evaluation framework which Council will be able to use to measure the achievements of arts, culture and heritage events and projects and how this contributes to regional cultural vitality and a return on investment. Exciting.

Image: Ancestors: Kirsten Cash Designs & Lyndon Davies

Welcome the bright New Year. To complement the range of full day arts business and management workshops, ArtReach Queensland has developed a range of half day arts business training modules. If a full day commitment is challenging for your arts community, then maybe a one-off or series of half days modules might suit your circumstances better. Check them out at: Training & Development.

New Year greetings. Happily aha!goodthinking and ArtReach are back for an eventful 2017. Already back at the coalface with continuing projects in the Flinders Shire and the Sunshine Coast Region and looking down the barrel of some new projects in Toowoomba, Samford, Barcoo Shire, Gympie Shire, and the Gladstone Region.  Exciting time ahead. Best wishes all for a stimulating, enjoyable and prosperous 2017.