Culture Maps Central NSW was launched this week, the result of a partnership between regional organisations and tourism teams.
Culture Maps Central NSW are Interactive maps for exploring public art + heritage + art galleries + aboriginal experiences + shopping for handmade + arts events.
The new resource was officially launched at historic Tremain’s Mill in Bathurst on Tuesday 29 September 2020.
Pictured: (left) RDA Central West CEO Sam Harma, Arts OutWest executive director Tracey Callinan, Mayor of Cowra and chair Central NSW Tourism Bill West. (Right) Joined by chair of Arts OutWest Fran Charge.
Here’s the Prime7 news story about the launch and the current tourism picture in the region:
The tourism industry was crippled when COVID-19 hit many feared we would never recover.But many towns across our region are experiencing a boom in visitor numbers.
Posted by PRIME7 News Central West on Tuesday, 29 September 2020
What’s on Culture Maps
The site – as you’ll find here – uses maps and pop-up images to pinpoint museums, heritage sites and trails; galleries and artist studios; places to shop for handmade things; Aboriginal cultural places and experiences, and for the first time – a comprehensive regional map of public art.
It works across mobile phone, tablets and desktops.
Right now there’s more than 420 pinned places including nearly 300 items of public art at 220 locations, 130 museums, heritage sites and Aboriginal experiences plus 80 art galleries, artist studios, craft shops and other places to buy handmade items.
The maps are themed so you can search by category or location within the Central NSW region that includes the Bathurst, Blayney, Cabonne, Cowra, Forbes, Lachlan, Lithgow, Oberon, Orange, Parkes and Weddin Local Government Areas.
There’s also an ever growing selection of great behind the scenes stories from the road.
Content for the maps was developed in collaboration with tourism teams at each local council whilst Arts OutWest’s media associates have been busy taking beautiful new photos of places across the region.
Start exploring!
A regional partnership
The project is a partnership between Arts OutWest, the Central NSW Joint Organisation and Regional Development Australia Central West.
CEO of the Central NSW Joint Organisation, Jenny Bennett, said art and culture are rated as the top things for visitors to see and do when travelling throughout regional NSW.
“Culture Maps Central NSW reveals the diversity of these experiences available in our own backyard,” said Ms Bennett. “It’s a great resource for locals to familiarise themselves; ready for when their visitors can safely return or for exploring places close to home.”
Regional Development Australia Central West CEO, Sam Harma explained that Culture Maps Central NSW will also play an important role for the local tourism economy in a post-Covid recovery.
“This is a region that is full of art, culture and history; but those assets are not just fascinating to explore, they are a really important part of the regional economy,” said Mr Harma. “In 2018 cultural and heritage visitors spent $14billion in NSW, with a not-insignificant portion of that being driven by regional NSW.”
Arts OutWest executive director Tracey Callinan added that the maps also highlight the increase in public art making.
“There’s nearly 300 items of public art pinned to the map, showcasing the real boom in public art making in the last decade,” said Ms Callinan.
Got an update?
Arts OutWest also welcomes additions or updates to listings on Culture Maps Central NSW. Email artsoutwest@csu.edu.au.
