The Western Sydney Parklands Arts and Cultural Accelerator was an innovative 10-day development lab, facilitated by City People, involving artists and professionals from diverse fields. Participants generated a suite of concepts for arts and culture projects for the parklands.
Working collaboratively they created ideas for urban arts projects, public art installations, performances or activation programs. The aim was to creatively engage and connect communities visiting the parklands, foster an understanding of its unique landscape and interpret its stories in memorable ways.
The accelerator took place in February – March 2020 and brought to life the arts and culture principles in the landscape design framework for Western Sydney Parklands, which City People created with Tyrrell Studio in 2018.
Darug country
Our focus was on the southern end of the Parklands, Darug country and mainly bushland, from Cecil Hills to Leppington. An understanding of Aboriginal country and culture was therefore essential. The knowledge shared by Aboriginal traditional owners and participants was integral to understanding the place.
David Kirkland, Principal Program Officer, Environment for Western Sydney Parklands and Parramatta Park Trusts, presenting on the ecology of the Southern Parklands to accelerator participants, to inspire their arts and culture projects.
Objectives
The objectives were to:
- elicit local stories from diverse sources about the southern end of the Parklands
- create and share an accessible ‘living document’ of these stories
- develop a repertoire of interpretive art and cultural project concepts
- scope project feasibility, stakeholders, logistics and budget
Outcomes
There were eight participants selected – artist, activist, broadcaster, choreographer, curator, graphic designer, horticulturalist and digital creative. All were passionate about creating arts and culture projects that reflected the unique nature of the parklands
We guided them in a creative practice to develop over 20 ideas and supported them to refine these into 11 project concepts. They were inspired by exploring the southern end of the parklands. Eight ‘provocateurs’ also shared their varied knowledge about the area, the landscape and its community with the group.
The accelerator raised the profile of the creative placemaking approach of Western Sydney Parklands and strengthened relationships with stakeholders. For example, there were 30 applications to participate and 11 stakeholder organisations involved.
Next steps
City People has led this innovative way of developing arts and culture projects over the last ten years. We have a depth of expertise in working with artists to produce art projects. Our passion is taking strategy off the page and into real experiences.
City People subsequently started collaborating with Western Sydney Parklands Trust to produce two of the projects developed in the accelerator with their creators:
- Djon Mundine: a Bunjalung man who is a renowned artist and curator and grew up in Western Sydney.
- Stephanie Peters: a horticulturalist and artist who lives and works in Western Sydney. She works with textiles, paper and public art.
- Shay Tobin: a Darug man who works in graphic design and photography. He is currently a student of pure mathematics.
City People has been working as the creative producer for these projects: liaising with artists, ensuring the project design is detailed and planning for the installation of the arts and culture projects.
For updates on arts and culture projects emerging from the accelerator check our news page. Information about our Urban Innovation Accelerator, the accelerator creating ideas for Wollongong’s public spaces for the City of Wollongong, can be found here.