Culture & creativity
The City is committed to supporting Sydney’s cultural life. We recognise the intrinsic and instrumental value of creativity as a cultural, economic and social force.
Why we’re doing this
Sydney faces the challenges posed by a changing economy, a rapidly growing population, and shifting environmental and social conditions.
Failure to confront these challenges has the capacity to produce widespread inequality, disrupt our economy, and leave a negative legacy for future generations.
It is important that everyone in Sydney and New South Wales is able to engage with, and contribute to, our cultural life. All of us have the right to access and contribute to the creation of the kind of city we will enjoy visiting, working and living in.
The political, economic, social and cultural rights of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities must be embedded in the city’s economic, social, environmental and cultural change.
Initiative, experimentation and enterprise are the bedrock of creativity. By encouraging them, we not only support economic development but enhance a sense of civic participation and cohesion. This ensures a greater number of people feel a stewardship of place, common heritage and are engaged in the cultural life of the city.
Harnessing our combined energy will produce a strong, cohesive sense of who we are, and what we want Sydney to be. This common culture will help us meet the challenges of the future, and ensure our city remains not only economically viable, but also an inclusive and interesting place to live, work and visit.
Urban design and regulation, increased opportunities for creativity, a balance between residential amenity and a vibrant evening economy, a range of public spaces, support for innovation and experimentation, and the reduction of barriers, such as housing costs, as well as arts funding and infrastructure will ensure diverse and active participation in Sydney’s cultural life.
Action areas
Culture & creativity
Creative cityCulture & creativity
ReconciliationCulture & creativity
Public art
City of Sydney News
News
Meet the creatives living and working in reduced-rent spaces in the inner cityMultidisciplinary artists, musicians, performers and change-makers are creating in our live/work spaces.31 May 2022News
Long-awaited LGBTIQA+ museum gets a boostThe City of Sydney will contribute almost $300,000 toward establishing an LGBTIQA+ museum in the inner city.18 May 2022News
On show now: TIDAL by Mike Daly The artist uses 43 horizontal light tubes arranged 8cm apart to represent rising and falling water levels around the world.6 May 2022News
Playful sculptures to connect people and places in Green SquareTobias Rehberger’s artwork ‘Here is Here. And Everywhere.’ features golden spheres that slowly illuminate as the sun rises in 4 international locations.6 May 2022News
In pictures: Sydney playgrounds in the 20th centuryDid you know that playgrounds weren't a thing before the 1930s? Swings and slippery dips represent a shift in how society saw kids and their place in the world.2 May 2022News
LGBTIQA+ communities take pride of place in proposed Oxford Street revampWe’re inviting people to have their say on our draft LGBTIQA+ social and cultural place strategy.2 May 2022News
Professional and amateur photographers: show us your take on Australian LifeEntries for the nation-wide photography competition with a $10,000 grand prize are now open.29 April 2022News
Junior photographers, show us your worldWe invite budding photographers aged 3 to 12 to enter the Little Sydney Lives photography competition.29 April 2022News
Explore the Hall of Service on Anzac Day Hidden underground, this space contains the stories of World War I enlistees from across NSW.21 April 2022