Cultural planning

Championing Inner West creatives through research, policy and targeted support that strengthens culture, the creative sector and the local economy.

Council is a passionate supporter of local arts and culture. Creative and cultural industries put $1.56 billion per annum into the local economy and account for 9,500 local jobs. 

One in ten local residents work in the creative and cultural sector, and over half of these are cultural producers. Our core creatives, including writers, musicians and visual artists, are almost 4 times the Greater Sydney average.

Council undertakes a range of cultural policy and planning initiatives in support of the sector, including: 

  • Input into relevant local government and state strategies and policies
  • Targeted strategic support of the local creative sector, including the live music sector
  • Advising on culture in local development and planning
  • Developing cultural policies, strategies and plans to guide Council's service delivery
  • Cultural research

Council also supports local creatives through its significant arts and cultural program.

Page last updated: 08 Apr 2026