Empowering the Arts: Sydney’s Commitment to Preserving Creative Space
Australia’s second largest city, one of the most important ports in the South Pacific and the home of many iconic cultural institutions
Cultural Heritage
Sydney is situated on the land and waters of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. First Nations Australians are integral to the world’s oldest living culture, dating back over 60,000 years. In 1788, Sydney marked the initial contact with the British, who established a penal colony on this site. Subsequently, the lands of more than 500 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nations across Australia were appropriated, resulting in the near erasure of cultures and languages. Nonetheless, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures have persevered and are increasingly recognised as vital components of Australia’s cultural fabric and contemporary multicultural identity.
First Nations’ approaches to land and water management are also gaining significance in light of the escalating climate crisis. In Sydney, acknowledging Eora histories, cultural practices, and preserving Gadigal language have become paramount for the community and the cultural sector.
Embracing Change
The City of Sydney, where many political and cultural institutions are situated, covers a relatively small area compared to the Greater Sydney metropolitan region, which stretches along the coast and inland. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, Sydney was experiencing an unprecedented phase of expansion. Greater Sydney was growing at a rate of approximately 1.7% per year, with the population projected to increase by one million people over a fifteen-year period starting from 2016. Following the pandemic’s impact on migration, Sydney’s population decreased by 0.1% in 2021. This marked the first time since 1981 that overall population growth in regional Australia exceeded that of Australian capital cities, primarily due to a decline in residents in Sydney and Melbourne.
The natural beauty of Sydney Harbour provides a stunning backdrop for its major cultural institutions. The iconic Sydney Opera House remains a key attraction and is within a waterside stroll of the Royal Botanic Garden, Art Gallery of New South Wales, and the Museum of Contemporary Art. The Sydney Theatre Company, Sydney Dance Company, and Bangarra Dance Theatre are located nearby in the Walsh Bay Arts Precinct, not far from the emerging Barangaroo precinct that connects Darling Harbour and the International Convention Centre. Recent plans for the addition of ‘Yananurala | Walking On Country’—a multi-faceted art walk along nine miles of shoreline—reflect the City of Sydney’s commitment to working closely with the community and artists to ensure this part of Sydney commemorates and reflects Aboriginal culture and history.
Modern Sydney is home to one of the world’s most culturally diverse populations. There is a strong presence of East Asian and South Asian diasporas, contributing to Sydney’s growing reputation for showcasing Asian contemporary art. LGBTQ+ communities also play a central role in Sydney’s social experience and cultural identity, shaping festivals, cultural programming, and the city’s nightlife. Sydney hosted WorldPride in 2023.
The Role of Policymaker
The City of Sydney’s vision for the future is grounded in two long-term roadmaps. “Sustainable Sydney 2030–2050: Continuing the Vision” is a strategic plan aimed at making the city green, global, and connected. It is complemented by the “Creative City” cultural policy and action plan, which identifies priorities for the city’s cultural life. These priorities include making culture more visible in the public domain, investing in the sustainability of the creative sector, supporting cultural participation, and improving access. While neither of these plans could have anticipated the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, the policies and projects introduced in response have furthered the City of Sydney’s long-term plans. For instance, projects focused on increasing access to affordable creative workspace have been accelerated.
Efforts to revive the city’s cultural offerings after the pandemic include a shift toward outdoor arts programming and dining. This transformation is facilitated by funding for new cultural programming and the reduction of bureaucratic red tape. It marks a shift for a city that previously centred its outdoor offerings around beach life and sports.
Another consequence of Covid-19 has been prolonged periods without international visitors. In response, local festivals and cultural institutions have emphasised programming by Sydney and Australia-based creatives. Coupled with a newfound interest from local audiences in homegrown content, this has led to increased investment in the local sector. Additionally, the appointment of a 24-Hour Economy Commissioner and an associated strategy aims to diversify the nighttime offerings, integrate planning and placemaking, support new nightlife businesses, and enhance transport connections, revitalizing this sector.
The Future
The City of Sydney is also addressing persistent challenges that have spanned decades: the limited availability of cultural space, the residential redevelopment of industrial areas, and an affordability crisis that has reduced the creative industries from the city’s third-largest to its fifth-largest sector.
Facilitating new and more meaningful relationships between the cultural and property development sectors promises to reverse the trend of losing cultural venues, recognising their essential role in a dynamic and expanding city.
Images copyright © Getty Images / Canva; City of Sydney
