Transcript Taking the Community along for the ride……

Taking the Community
along for the ride……
The evolution of Albury’s
Cultural Precinct
Case study presentation by
Carina Clement,
Manager, Albury Libraries
as part of the ‘Working Outside the Box’ forum
presented by the Cultural Development Network
with RAV,VAPAC and MA (Vic),
Plenty Ranges Convention Centre
8th May 2006
AlburyCity Cultural Precinct
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Albury – City of 45,000 on the NSW / Victorian Border
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Albury has a Central Precinct around which many of the City’s cultural
facilities are already located
– Library
– Art Gallery
– Performing Arts & Conference Centre
– Conservatorium
Albury’s Cultural Precinct
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The next step in bringing together Albury’s cultural facilities into a
central precinct has been recognised as a key action for AlburyCity with:
– Stage 1being a new integrated public library and museum to be
completed in 2007
– Stage 2 Significant extensions and upgrade to the Regional Art
Gallery
– Stage 3 Construction / re-landscaping of the central square
– Stage 4 Upgrade of Albury Performing Arts and Convention Centre
Why an integrated Cultural precinct?
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1998 – Committee formed to review Cultural facilities
1999 – Australia Street Company employed to develop strategic plan for
Library, Museum and Art Gallery services in Albury
– Involved stakeholder and public meetings / consultations with
community groups, cultural groups, indigenous community,
Councillors staff, targeted experts, adjoining Councils, general public
– Strategy was formulated and adopted by Council
• Upgrade / develop new facilities
• Integration of facilities & management
• Celebrate culture
• Cultural Precinct based around central QEII Square
Master planning – “What will it be like”
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2000 – Brewster Hjorth Architects appointed
Precinct features
– Accessibility
– Open space / linkages / village green concept
– Integrated facilities
– Staged implementation
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Model constructed, displayed and presentation to groups undertaken
2001 Master plan adopted by Council
2003 – Architects Ashton Raggatt McDougall appointed
• 2004 - Exterior design creates community controversy leading to a
process of community consultation regarding design.
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Exterior design approved by Council and intensive design development
undertaken by architects.
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2005 – Plans approved and Builders appointed
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2006 – Building work commences, with opening of the building planned
for April / May 2007
2005 – Marketing plan for facility developed through consultation
process
Community Consultation
WHEN
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During Strategic & Master Planning process
During exterior design development
Developing a marketing plan
Developing Council’s cultural plan
Library Museum Advisory Committee / Friends and other support
groups
WHO
• Cultural community
• Current clients / traditional client groups / stakeholders
• Staff & Councillors
• Indigenous community
Business & tourism
Community consultation
What about non-user groups? Are we attempting to connect with the
whole of our community?
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Audience Development project
Marketing plan actions
– Devise participative projects for specific audience groups
– Community group presentations
– Communication strategy
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Addressing issues within Digital Divide in Albury study
Indigenous blessing ceremony
Advisory committee - programming and focus group opportunities
Library Museum Convergence
WHAT
– Staff structure
– Collections – management & access
– Information & research provision
– Programming – exhibitions & public programs themed throughout
the building
Library Museum Convergence
Why
– Economies of scale
– Funding imperative
– Service & skill enhancement
– Audience development
Why not (or issues we have to deal with)
– Professional integrity
– Audience confusion
Cultural Precinct – how integrated
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Stage 1 – Library Museum integration
Staffing structure to reflect integration?
Joint public programs
Education programming
Branding / Marketing
– joint newsletter?
– joint website?
Do the community get it?
What does the Albury Cultural Precinct mean to you?
– “I don’t know what it is” (Male 18 – 25, Non –user)
– “What is a precinct?” (Male 18 – 25, User of some facilities)
– “It’s wonderful – brings the city to the country” (Female, 40, Non-user, but
keen to use new library museum)
– “Centralising facilities – museum more available” (Male, 50’s, Art Gallery
user)
– “Brings community & culture together. Good for tourism & economy”
(Female, 18 – 25, Performing Arts Centre User)
– “My partner is one of the constructions workers. Great learning opportunity
for kids” (Female, 30’s non –user)
Challenges
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Really connecting with non traditional library / museum users / cultural
facility users- collaboration beyond consultation / creating partnerships
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Resourcing constraints – not achieving our / the community vision for
the Library Museum
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Changing Council priorities – not seeing through Cultural Precinct
stages
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Branding & loyalty issues – individual identity versus Cultural Precinct
experience
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Staffing issues – upskilling, change management
Outreach issues
Beyond the challenges –
the Grand Vision
We want the Albury Cultural Precinct to be:
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A Regional First / a Regional Leader
Be a “place that buzzes” – that exceeds expectation
Be “owned” by our community
Challenge and develop our
community
To be achieved by:
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Integrated service and program delivery
– Providing the space and infrastructure
– Completing the Cultural Precinct vision
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Exciting / varied program of events & exhibitions
Involving groups / individuals in
collaborative projects that work for them
– Digital storytelling projects
– Youth projects
– Family friendly “Arts in the Park”
– Developing community exhibitions
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Carina Clement
Manager Albury Libraries
[email protected]
(02) 6051 3470
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Albury City Libraries
(Branch of Upper Murray Regional Library Service)
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P.O. Box 323
Albury NSW 2640 http://www.umrl.nsw.gov.au