Cultural Development

Cultural Development is a broad term covering a range of activities that give communities the opportunity to tell their stories, build their creative skills and be active participants in the development of their culture.

Council contributes to the cultural development of the Kiama local government area through a range of strategies.

Community and Cultural Development Officer

Council employs a Community and Cultural Development Officer four days per week with two days dedicated solely to cultural development. Council’s current Community and Cultural Development Officer is Louise Croker and she can be contacted on ph 4232 0549 or by email contact.

Kiama Cultural Grants

Kiama Council provides a total of $15,000 each year in order to; support the development and delivery of arts and cultural projects within the Kiama local government area. Applicants can apply for up to $3000 per project.

Council’s Cultural Grants are always open and applications may be submitted at anytime. However, closing dates for each submission period are:

• The 4th Friday in February – successful projects will receive cheques in May
• The 4th Friday in August  – successful projects will receive cheques in November

Applicants should read the Cultural Grants Guidelines (65KB) prior to submitting their Application form (pdf 52 KB) or Application form (Word 310MB).

Kiama Cultural Arts Planning

A document outlining planned actions in regards to cultural development activities for the period 2012 – 2016 is currently under development.
 
The 2007 - 2012 Cultural Plan (pdf 1.8MB) has recently been reviewed in regards to its outcomes and can be view here - Cultural Plan 2007 – 2012 Review.

Kiama Cultural Network

The Kiama Cultural Network was established in 2009 as a way for local artists, from all mediums, to connect with each other and with Council. The goal of the Kiama Cultural Network is; to build, promote and maintain a cultural arts community in the Kiama local government area.

In 2012 a blog site was set up for the Cultural Network, you can be a part of the Kiama Cultural Network community by joining the blog site. Just follow the link above and put your email in the ‘follow via email’ box to the left on the home page.

You will then receive an email each time something new is added to the site. This will include information about; local arts news, events and workshops, photos and responses and comments from other local artists.

The Kiama Cultural Board

The Kiama Cultural Board aims to

• Improve opportunities for employment and self-employment of local artists
• Increase tourist spending on local art and culture to maximise the viability and employment capacity of cultural businesses
• Promote the contribution of local arts and crafts to economic welfare and employment
• Improve efficiency of resource utilisation

The Board does this by working closely with Council’s Community and Cultural Development Officer and through the Kiama Cultural Grants.

The Cultural Board also oversees the Kiama Cultural Grants.

Old Fire Station

The Old Fire Station Community Arts Centre is booked fifty two weeks per year and is available for hire for exhibitions, workshops, lectures, talks, recitals or as performance space. 

Exhibition periods are on a weekly basis with each week running from Tuesday to Monday.

Exhibition bookings are scheduled in advance every six (6) months.

•  1st Half Year – January to June (inclusive)
•  2nd Half Year – July to December (inclusive)

A weekly Hire Fee of $200 is charged. Exhibitors must have their own public liability of $10m or more or pay an additional fee of $150 for Council’s Casual Hirers Public Liability.

Booking Form

For more information please contact Anne on 4232 0448 or email contact.

Daisy the Decorated Dairy Cow

Information about Daisy can be found here

Kiama Council Art Collection

Kiama Council’s Art Collection dates back to the 1900’s, starting with Herbert Reginald Gallop’s painting titled Boat Harbour. It includes over 90 individual works, many of which are purchased from local artists as part of Kiama Arts Society’s Annual Exhibition, as well as works given as gifts from places such as Vietnam and Canada.

The Kiama Council Art Collection is housed within Council’s Administration Building in Manning Street but is now made available to the public for viewing online:  Kiama Council Art Collection

For more information about Council’s Art Collection contact Council’s Community and Cultural Development Officer on 4232 0549 or email contact.

Cultural Events in Kiama

A range of events are held throughout the year in Kiama, provided through both Council and community. Events vary from year to year, however some annual events occur regularly each year.

Events 2013
Lloyd Rees Festival ~ 31 Oct to 3 Nov 2013

• Exhibition of Lloyd Rees works
• Tours of painting sites
• Master classes
• Lightshow
• Lectures and Films
• Rees inspired concert

 www.lloydreesfestival.org/  | Lloydreesfestival2013@gmail.com | 0413967385

New Years Eve Fireworks ~ New Years Eve

Information available through Kiama Tourism

KISS Arts Festival ~ January School Holidays

Held in January includes street theatre and circus workshops for children and adults. More information can be found on their Facebook site
 

Australia Day ~ 26 January

Community Breakfasts held at:

• Gerringong Breakfast; from 8.00am at Gerringong Surf Club
• Kiama Breakfast; from 7.00am at Kiama Surf Club
• Kiama Downs Breakfast; from 7.00am at Kiama Downs Surf Club
• Jamberoo Breakfast; from 8.30am at Keith Walsh Oval, Jamberoo

A Citizenship Ceremony is also held in Hindmarsh Park from 11am to 12noon, this includes an address from the Australia Day Ambassador.

Kiama Jazz and Blues Festival – early March

A FREE weekend of red hot jazz & blues for everyone! Around 50 Free Events at over 20 Venues.  3 Nights 2 Days...No ticketing, no excuses!
Jazz and Blues Festival Website

Sorry Day ~ 26 May

Every year Council holds a commemorative event honouring Sorry Day. A flag raising ceremony is held in front of the Old Council Chambers followed by a community event at The Pavilion, Kiama. Both Indigenous and non Indigenous community members are welcome to attend. For more information contact Councils Community and Cultural Development Officer on 4232 0549 or email contact.

Kiama Area Markets

Kiama Monthly Markets
~ 3rd Sunday each month ~ Black Beach Kiama ~ 9am - 3pm

Kiama Produce Markets
~ 4th Saturday each month ~ Black Beach Kiama ~ 8am - 1pm

Gerringong Monthly Markets
~ 2nd Sunday each month ~  Gerringong Surf Club ~ 10am - 4pm

Jamberoo Arts & Crafts Fair
~ Last Sunday each month ~ Jamberoo Park ~ 10am - 4pm

For details of more local community events go to Kiama Tourism