Wagga Cultural Plan 2020-2030 finalised through council

The Cultural Plan 2020-2030 was compiled after consultation with the community and relevant creative industries, with the final report outlining everything from hopes of reviving the CBD to highlighting Wagga's First Nation's art.

Executive Director at Eastern Riverina Arts, Tim Kurylowicz, said the plan was essential to help local creative industries see the bigger picture.

"Having that 10 year vision really helps council and other organisations prioritise what staff spend their time on and what projects they might work on to seek funding for," he said.

Dr Kurylowicz said creative businesses will play a vital role in reviving the city in the wake of COVID-19.

"Artists and creatives are critical in bringing us all together again with events and entertainment," he said.

"They are going to be vital to rebuilding domestic tourism again by creating experiences to attract people to the region, and creative businesses can help jump start the local economy again."

A focus on Wagga's CBD was a common interest of those involved in the plan, and one which Dr Kurylowicz said was "really pertinent" to current circumstances.

"People really want to see creative things happening in the CBD, they want to see empty shop fronts being activated creatively and with new businesses, and the space going to good use," he said.

Dr Kurylowicz said recommendations around embracing First Nations arts and culture also presented exciting possibilities.

"There is a lot in the plan that is game changing," he said.

"The plan to establish a community arts centre really addresses long held needs of community arts groups, many of whom are currently operating out of older facilities.

"There are some recommendations supporting the production of local creative work. That's a great step to embrace our local talent."

Wagga was a city of rich heritage and culture, according to Dr Kurylowicz, who said needed to be embraced.

"When looking at the future of Wagga, we need to remember it's not just about bringing in shows or exhibitions from big cities, but also celebrating our home grown talent too," he said.

Wagga City Council's manager of community services, Madeleine Scully, outlined the plan's goals in a statement.

"The Cultural Plan outlines a 10-year vision for the cultural growth of the City and importantly details the implementation of this vision through 50 recommendations outlined in the plan," the statement read.

"These recommendations propose programs, projects and cultural infrastructure that the community has identified as priority areas to support."

The areas included: