Ipswich City Council Arts and Cultural Strategy

Contents Definitions 3 Acknowledgement of Country 3 Foreword 5 Introduction 7 Development of the Arts and Cultural Strategy 8 Public Engagement 8 What you told us 9 Key themes 12 Our strengths and opportunities 1 4 Ipswich’s vision for arts and culture 1 6 Goal and objective 1 17 Goal and objective 2 18 Goal and objective 3 18 Goal and objective 4 19 Goal and objective 5 19 Making it happen – our action plan 20 Acknowledgements 22 Definitions This section discusses the meaning of the terms ‘ arts ’ and ‘ culture ’ and defines the scope of this Strategy. In this Strategy, ‘ the arts ’ refers to all physical results of our creative impulse. Our various ‘ art forms ’ represent an outlet for creative expression which is both influenced by our culture and, in turn, influences it. ‘ The arts ’ encompasses all branches, including performing arts, visual arts, screen and digital arts, literary arts and cultural heritage collections. ‘ Culture ’ is a broader term, and refers to the values, ideas, customs, attitudes and physical artefacts of a particular people or society. Our culture is how we express who we are, as a member of a group. Through arts activities, festivals and events, through food and traditions – our culture makes us feel connected and welcome, and proud of our home and city. The term ‘ artists ’, ‘ creatives ’ or ‘ creative practitioners ’ are all used interchangeably to describe those engaged in arts and cultural activity. Image: Dust Pans by Ipswich-based artist Debbie Scott. Acknowledgement of Country Ipswich City Council respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners as custodians of the land. The traditional owners whose earth, winds and waters we share, have had a deep spiritual and cultural connection to country for thousands of years. We pay our respects to their elders, past, present and emerging, as the keepers of the traditions, cultures and stories of a proud people. 3 2