Participants were invited to ask questions and make suggestions about Arts Upper Hunter’s priorities and strategic plans for the next four years.

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An assortment of Dungog Shire organisations were represented, including Dungog Regional Tourism, Dungog Arts Society and Dungog Shire Council.

All stakeholders agreed to work together for the best possible results.

A key period for cooperation will come from August to September next year, when the biennial Sculpture on the Farm will be held at the Dungog Common for the first time.

Representatives present agreed their organisations should consider holding events in September 2025 to give visitors and residents plenty of things to do and see at that time.

Options mentioned included performances by local and visiting artists and musicians, art and craft workshops and exhibitions.

Some interesting new concepts were put forward, such as Dungog artist Sasi Victoire’s suggestion of a public printmaking workshop using a lawn or garden roller to make block prints.

Tourism was also noted as being important to the success of events.

Chair of Sculpture on the Farm, Phillippa Graham said, “The Arts Upper Hunter Strategic Planning Workshop is really valuable to Sculpture on the Farm in its preparation for exhibition next year.

“We hope this will bring lots of people to Dungog.”

Proposals for Dungog’s future ‘Hooke Street Precinct’ also sparked interest, an area considered a possible venue for live music and other creative installations.

Grant funding is often important to community groups looking to host events, and Arts Upper Hunter advises organisations and individuals on how to make applications.

Recently there have been changes to Create NSW funding.

Some of these were noted, as well as specific issues facing local organisations, businesses and individuals.

Mr O’Brien, who has chaired a series of sessions around the Upper Hunter, said it was “a really good workshop”.

By Lisa WISEMAN