In November 2010, the former Minister for the Arts, the Hon. Virginia Judge MP and the Presidents of the Local Government and Shires Associations, Councillor Keith Rhoades and Councillor Bruce Miller signed the 4th Cultural Accord.
The Cultural Accords commenced in 1997 arising out of the recommendations of a Review of Regional Arts Development in New South Wales which suggested that Arts NSW negotiate a formal agreement with the Associations in order to support the arts throughout the State and develop creative links between Local Government and the State.
The 4th Cultural Accord is an overarching high-level agreement between Arts NSW and the Associations on arts and cultural development. It reflects Government priorities relating to participation, volunteering and creative industries and target group such as Aboriginal people. It is intended that specific projects/programs under the Accord will be articulated through the Associations’ funding agreement with Arts NSW. The 4th Cultural Accord will run from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2013.
