Presentation to the Ordinary Council meeting of Feb 26th 2019 Creative Art Strategy – MACS
MACS submitted feedback to the Council of Eurobodalla Shire’s Creative Art Strategy in late 2018. We were happy with most of the Creative Art Strategy.
I wish first of all to congratulate the Council on the new Basil Sellers Art Space attached to the Moruya Library. It is a wonderful space and has the ability to hold exhibitions of high end artists in the Eurobodalla region.
Narooma is the only town in Eurobodalla Shire who do not have a multipurpose, community space. MACS is one of many community groups who would make use of such a building. MACS would like to see a Public Meeting called by the Council in Narooma to discuss a sustainable multi-purpose, community hall space to be developed in Narooma. An exhibition and performance space to be built on flat Crown land facing NATA oval .The public need to be consulted about this type of building as there are few options in Narooma for exhibition and performance space and needs to be utilised by the whole community. We are one of many community groups in Narooma who would benefit from this type of building.
MACS have more than 180 members and presently have studio space at 24 Glasshouse Rocks Narooma. This studio space enables us to provide space for textiles, Life drawing, mosaics and ceramics, drawing and painting. We share space with the Mens Shed and presently open 3 days a week. This will change in October to 7 days a week if required. We now have more space and better parking and welcome people with a disability to join studio or workshops if they wish to participate. Our members also partipate in local community festivals, such as Boats Afloat, the Narooma Oyster Festival and the River of Art Festival and Rotary Markets. MACS have also been involved with the Public school, the High school and the Yuin people.
MACS also run the Narooma Visitor Information Centre (VIC) and are open 7 days a week. We have a small gallery at the VIC to display our members art and craft. MACS members work as volunteers at the VIC. MACS members and members of the Narooma community work together to promote our town.
We noted in our submission Eurobodalla Shire has one of the largest older communities in NSW. Our studio fees are low for people on fixed incomes. Our experience has proved there is not profit in running workshops. MACS workshops aim to be cost neutral.
In summary MACS would like to be included in any future discussions about a sustainable, multipurpose community hall/space to be developed in Narooma. We also would like Council to organise a public meeting so discussion can be open to all of the community in Narooma.
Judy Glover, President, MACS
