City of Storytellers: Discover our ten-year Cultural Plan

Newcastle is a city of storytellers. Our creative spirit runs deep, and our community has told us they want to see it flourish even more.

City of Storytellers: Newcastle’s Cultural Plan 2026–2036 (the draft Plan) sets out how City of Newcastle will support, invest in, and celebrate arts, culture, and creative industries over the next decade. It’s a practical roadmap for creating the conditions for creativity to thrive by supporting artists and cultural workers, protecting and growing creative spaces, and making culture accessible to everyone, everywhere.

The draft Plan is now on public exhibition. This is your opportunity to help shape Newcastle’s creative future.

Where we are now

Newcastle’s thriving cultural landscape

Newcastle is a proudly creative city with a cultural scene that punches well above its weight.

From world-class venues like Newcastle Art Gallery and Civic Theatre, to grassroots studios and community spaces, culture shapes our city’s identity and drives economic growth.

Creative Precincts

Newcastle’s cultural life is shaped by a diverse network of precincts and neighbourhood nodes where creativity is produced, shared and experienced.

Each precinct has its own identity and strengths - some long established, others emerging - and together they provide the spaces, connections and opportunities that allow Newcastle’s creative sector to thrive.

Use the map below to discover each of our creative precincts.

What we heard

Your voice shaped this plan

The draft Plan has been developed through extensive co-design and engagement with Newcastle’s creative community, including workshops, interviews and feedback from artists, cultural workers and organisations, alongside broader stakeholder input, and the most comprehensive economic analysis of the local cultural sector ever undertaken.

Images captured from one of our co-design workshops at the Newcastle Museum, with Newcastle's creative community, including artists, cultural institutions, cultural education providers, creative enterprises, arts organisations, and the broader community.


Click below to explore what we heard.

"We need messy spaces. Spaces that allow us to produce work."

You told us that affordable, fit-for-purpose spaces for production, rehearsal, and storage are in short supply across the city.

"Venues would be the number one challenge in town."

Many community centres and halls are too small, under-used, or not in the right locations to meet current needs.

"It's not the lack of talent or ideas that holds us back - it's the cost of simply staying here and making work."

Rising costs make it harder for creative practitioners to live and work in Newcastle.

"Our First Nations people are our original storytellers and creators."

"We still have work to do to engage multicultural, queer, and diverse communities."

Newcastle's cultural identity must reflect its full diversity. First Nations leadership must be visible in governance, programming, and public life. Multicultural communities, LGBTIQ+ people, young people, and people with disability need meaningful pathways to not only participate in culture but actively shape it.

"It is worth dedicating funding, resources and internal expertise for arts and culture, with an understanding that it cuts across vibrancy, economy and community engagement."

Artists and organisations want more transparent processes and better understanding of what support is available.

"We're a city of storytellers. Our identity should focus on that."

You want Newcastle to have the confidence to tell its own story. The city's grit, history, and coastal energy set us apart. Newcastle should lean into its identity as a city of storytellers, where everyone has the freedom to shape our shared narrative.

The Plan addresses these challenges while building on our strengths.

Our vision for 2036

Four pillars for a fearless cultural future

By 2036, Newcastle will be a fearless, funded, celebrated, and sustainable creative city, where culture informs planning and investment, creativity drives innovation and jobs, and cultural life reflects the full diversity of our community.

Guided by First Nations leadership, we’ll ensure arts and culture are accessible to all, not just concentrated in the city centre.

Our approach is built on four strategic pillars:

  • Pillar 1: City of Newcastle as enabler, advocate, and champion

    We will clarify our role and build strong, transparent partnerships with the creative community.

    As an enabler, we’ll provide the resources, tools, and structures to facilitate actions and initiatives.

    As an advocate, we’ll advocate for funding from other levels of government and support the integration of cultural priorities within the broader policy and decision-making framework.

    As a champion, we’ll lead initiatives, build visibility, and drive cultural change.

  • Pillar 2: Spaces and places

    Newcastle needs more affordable cultural space to meet growing demand.

    State housing targets and the Broadmeadow renewal will require around 6,000 square metres of new community and cultural space - roughly the size of a Bunnings warehouse.

    This plan provides evidence to advocate for cultural space in major developments, alongside better use of existing facilities.

  • Pillar 3: Creative workforce and industry

    Artists and creative workers are the engine room of Newcastle’s cultural life, and a major economic asset.

    The Cultural Plan commits to clearer, transparent funding pathways, professional development and mentoring, advocacy for affordable housing and workspaces, and programs that support creative businesses to grow and thrive.

  • Pillar 4: City life and vibrancy

    Culture makes cities liveable, distinctive, and connected.

    This pillar is about ensuring cultural experiences and opportunities are distributed fairly across the entire Newcastle local government area, not just concentrated in the CBD.

    We’ll activate public spaces, support events and nightlife, and ensure that communities in outer suburbs have access to quality cultural programs and infrastructure

How you can have your say

The draft Cultural Plan 2026–2036 is now on public exhibition between 25 February and 30 March 2026, and we want to hear from you.

There are several ways to get involved:

  • Complete our online submission form and share your thoughts on the draft Plan's strategic pillars and actions.
  • Join us at cultural events and pop-ups across the city to learn more, ask questions, and connect with the creative community.
  • If you're short on time you can participate in our quick poll.

You don't need to be an artist or work in the creative sector to have your say. Culture belongs to everyone. Your voice matters if you:

  • Attend exhibitions, performances, or festivals
  • Have children involved in creative activities
  • Run a business that benefits from cultural tourism
  • Care about what makes Newcastle distinctive and liveable
  • Want to see your suburb's cultural life flourish

All feedback received during the exhibition period will be carefully considered before the final Cultural Plan 2026–2036 is presented to Council for adoption.

Share your feedback

Participate in our quick poll

Quick Poll

Do you support the overall vision and strategic pillars of the draft Cultural Plan 2026-2036?

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