Newcastle’s creative community, and anyone who enjoys the city’s cultural life, is invited to have a say on the direction of arts and culture in the city for the next decade.
The document, titled City of Storytellers, sets out how the council plans to support, invest in and celebrate arts, culture and creative industries across the city over the coming ten years, with feedback open until Monday, 30 March 2026.
Framed as a practical roadmap, the draft plan outlines actions to support creative careers, protect and expand cultural spaces, strengthen creative precincts and make culture more accessible across the Newcastle local government area.
Council says the plan builds on extensive consultation already undertaken with artists, cultural workers and organisations, alongside broader stakeholder input and a detailed economic analysis of the local creative sector.
The creative sector contributes an estimated $565 million to Newcastle’s economy and supports 3,472 jobs, with growth running at roughly twice the pace of other industries. The city’s night-time economy alone accounts for more than 14,000 jobs and around $2.1 billion in annual turnover, reinforcing the link between culture, liveability and economic activity.
At the heart of the draft plan are four strategic pillars that aim to guide decision-making through to 2036. They position City of Newcastle as an enabler, advocate and champion for this special part of the city.
Community members can view the full draft plan and provide feedback via City of Newcastle’s Have Your Say platform during the exhibition period, which runs from 25 February to 30 March 2026.
Submissions can be made online, through pop-ups and events across the city, or via a quick poll for those short on time. Council is encouraging participation from beyond the arts sector, noting that culture shapes everything from tourism and nightlife to how neighbourhoods feel and function.
