Have Your Say on Newcastle’s cultural future

Newcastle’s next creative chapter is being written, and everyone’s invited to pick up the pen.

The draft City of Newcastle Cultural Plan 2026 - 2036 is now on public exhibition, outlining a bold ten-year vision for how arts, culture, and creative industries will grow across the city.

From supporting creative careers to protecting cultural spaces and strengthening local precincts, this plan is about setting the direction for the next decade of cultural life in Newcastle.

At its core, the draft Cultural Plan is a roadmap - a practical guide to how the City of Newcastle proposes to support, invest in and celebrate the people, places, and ideas that make this city creatively distinct. 

That means real actions: supporting artists and cultural workers, expanding access to creative opportunities, and ensuring culture is something everyone across Newcastle can experience.

Designed following consultation with artists, organisations, and cultural workers who have already shared what matters most to them, the draft now brings those conversations together with the most significant economic analysis of the creative sector to date, into a clear vision. 

Whether you’re an artist, a small business owner, a live music lover, or someone who simply values a vibrant city, this is your chance to weigh in.

Visit the Have Your Say page to explore what's proposed and share your feedback before Sunday 19 April 2026.

Photo credit: New Annual festival, photography by Ange Maloney