Northern Territory Arts Strategy 2034

The Northern Territory (NT) Government is committed to and recognises the creative arts sector as a key driver in both enriching the lives of Territorians and in strengthening the Territory’s creative and cultural economy.

The strategy focuses on activities that support artists and the surrounding arts sector providing platforms for creativity to be showcased and monetised.

Recognising that artists often work across multiple art forms and regions, the strategy values and preserves traditional creative practice while fostering innovation. It encourages new creative thinking, the use of emerging technologies and the development of new art forms. The strategy prioritises artists’ creative work and helps create pathways to empower them and the arts sector to take advantage of opportunities across the broader creative industries.

Comprehensive yet adaptable, the strategy allows for responses to emerging opportunities, innovation and changing contexts over the next 10 years. This ensures support for a wide range of initiatives and partnerships that align with its objectives and values.

The strategy is based upon 5 principles that help shape a future where arts are woven into the fabric of our society, reflect our unique identity and enrich the lives of all Territorians.

Principles

  • Cultural heart - The crucial place of Aboriginal stories is recognised and respected at the centre of the Territory’s arts and culture.
  • Creative communities - Access and opportunity to arts and culture enriches the lives of all Territorians.
  • Artistic ambition - Empowered artists thrive and innovate in sustainable careers and contribute to the creative and cultural economy.
  • Connecting culture - Future focused arts leadership enables diverse and language-rich multicultural connections and a robust and valued arts sector.
  • Territory identity - The Territory’s vibrant arts and culture is recognised at home and abroad, is reflected in our stories and connects us with a sense of belonging and achievement.

Priorities

  • Empower: Invest in people to build a strong, creative and culturally diverse arts sector.
  • Connect: Invest in connecting the arts, culture and creativity to community to grow the creative and cultural life of the Territory.
  • Enrich: Invest in audiences and celebrate the value of Territory arts and culture to grow a strong arts, cultural and creative economy.

Two 5-year action plans will cover the life of the strategy. The first action plan (2025 – 2029) will be developed in the second half of 2024 under the guidance of the project reference group comprised of emerging and established artists, and creative leaders with a strong representation from regional and remote NT.

Over 300 people contributed to the development of the Strategy. The Department, through Arts NT, met face-to-face and online with close to 230 artists, arts organisations and broader community with interest in the arts.

The NT Arts Strategy reflects the contribution of Territory voices in shaping the future of arts and culture in the Territory.

For more information

Contact

Arts NT
Phone: 08 8999 8981
arts.office@nt.gov.au
PO Box 37037
Winnellie NT 0820

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