Arts, culture and heritage
Council recognises and values the role that the arts, culture, heritage, and events play in creating vibrant and healthy communities. By investing in these things, we create better places and better spaces, which, in turn, will increase a sense of community and security as well as improve the health and well-being of our residents.
Our Incredible Place Events, Arts & Culture Strategy 2021-2024 provides the framework for growing and celebrating our culture. It will provide Council, business and residents a blueprint to work in partnership together, to celebrate our unique identity, increase investment in our communities and deliver more economic opportunities for our people.
Cultural Precincts have been developed to identify broader areas for future planning of arts, culture and events around Port Stephens to learn about these precincts click here
We have vacancies on our Strategic Arts Committee!
If you:
- Have an interest in events, arts and culture
- Want to contribute to the planning and implementation of cultural and artistic initiatives
- Are a Port Stephens resident
Then we need you!
What is the Strategic Arts Committee?
The 355c Strategic Arts Committee is an advisory committee that assists with Council’s Cultural Planning, including the Action Plan of the Our Incredible Place, Events, Arts and Cultural Strategy.
It also provides advice on public art and more broadly, the committee plays a role in building and maintaining relations with other community members interested in local cultural development.
It also identifies future training opportunities that might support the work of local organisations involved in the planning and delivery of cultural related activity.
Committee membership
The committee consists of up to ten people who have an interest in art and cultural activity. It’s intended that membership be representative of the broader community of Port Stephens in terms of age, cultural practice and location.
The committee meets 4 times a year and the meeting and related administrative activities are coordinated by Council's Senior Community Development Officer.
Want to join?
If you’re interested in joining the committee, complete a Volunteer Nomination Form and return to Chantelle.Sives@portstephens.nsw.gov.au.
Port Stephens Creatives Conference
The Port Stephens Creatives Conference is a one day forum aimed at giving local artists an opportunity to grow their practice, learn new skills and help us grow new cultural opportunities in Port Stephens. Different workshops and guest speakers are hosted throughout the day focusing on key topics identified to upskill our creatives around Port Stephens.
The 2024 Creatives Conference will be held on Wednesday 28 February and creative professionals such as performers, musicians, artists, photographers and event creators are invited to attend.
- Whitesands Conference Centre (part of the Shoal Bay Country Club)
- 28 February 2024
- 11am to 5pm – Creatives Conference with workshops and guest speakers
- 5pm to 7pm – Networking drinks
Reserve your spot for free via our official Creatives Conference Eventbrite.
It’s On!
It’s on! Port Stephens is our events and activation program aimed at bringing life and vibrancy to our public spaces. The program focuses on delivering small, regular, community led, low cost activities to create vibrancy to the area and bring the community together, including school holidays activities, music performances, markets and more.
To find out what’s on click here or to showcase your talents at one of our events, please contact us on 4988 0255 or at email us at events@portstephens.nsw.gov.au.
Artists, photographers and creatives of all types are encouraged to apply for a range of opportunities to showcase their work and make Port Stephens an even more vibrant place to live.
Terrace Reflections- is an ongoing place activation initiative that supports artists to display artwork in an outdoor environment for the whole community to enjoy and experience in Raymond Terrace. The program aims to:
- inspire the community’s imagination, allowing them to engage with arts and culture beyond the confines of a museum or gallery
- enhance Raymond Terrace’s built environment and create a vibrant gateway to the main street of Raymond Terrace
- reinforce the unique identity and history of Raymond Terrace
- provide a highly visible platform for creative expression and development
Yacaaba Walk of Art- is an ongoing place activation initiative that supports artists to display artwork in an outdoor environment for the whole community to enjoy and experience in Nelson Bay. The program aims to:
- inspire the community’s imagination, allowing them to engage with arts and culture beyond the confines of a museum or gallery
- enhance Nelson Bay’s beautiful environment and create a vibrant, eye catching display as part of the waterfront of Nelson Bay.
- reinforce the unique identity and picturesque environment of Nelson Bay
- provide a highly visible platform for creative expression and development.
If you would like to learn more about Terrace Reflections & Yacaaba Walk of Art or to discuss your ideas and questions, Please contact us on 4988 0255 or email us at publicart@portstephens.nsw.gov.au
Art Space
If you’ve ever dreamt of exhibiting your work, or would like to sell your work, now is your chance.
Port Stephens Council is seeking expressions of interest for artists to exhibit at the Raymond Terrace Art Space located at Raymond Terrace Library, 18A Sturgeon Street.
Our exhibitions are held each month and feature a range of works — painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, design, decorative and more.
We are providing opportunities for professional and emerging artists to exhibit their work. This gives the local community a chance to enjoy and experience art in a relaxed public space.
If you would like to learn more about Art Space or to discuss your ideas and questions, Please contact us on 4988 0255 or email us at artspace.rt.library@gmail.com
Discover public art in Port Stephens and learn about each one with the interactive map below:
Council has a range of grants and funding available for arts & culture projects to help us make Port Stephens a better place to live, work and play.
Our funding program gives eligible individuals, artists, community organisations, not-for-profits, businesses, students and others the opportunity to apply for funds to deliver initiatives that make a real difference to local communities and our region. These funding programs play a pivotal role in building capacity by supporting initiatives, which enhance the social, cultural, environmental and economic life of our communities.
If you have a great idea, we’d love to hear about it! Please contact us on 4988 0255 or at grants@portstephens.nsw.gov.au.
Get in connected with Arts and heritage contacts around Port Stephens.
Click here to learn more.