Arts North West is part of the NSW Regional Arts Network (RAN), a statewide network of fifteen Regional Arts Development Organisations (RADOs) working to strengthen arts, culture and creative industries across regional NSW. Recognising the growing importance of cultural tourism, RAN commenced a multi-year project to better understand how arts and culture contribute to regional visitation, economic development and community wellbeing.

In 2024, RAN commissioned leading cultural research agency Patternmakers, with support from Create NSW, to undertake a statewide Cultural Tourism Research Project. Arts North West contributed more than 3,500 regional data inputs, helping build a clearer picture of how visitors engage with arts, culture, heritage, festivals, public art and creative experiences across regional NSW. The research highlighted the significant role arts and culture play in attracting visitors, supporting local businesses and creating vibrant regional communities.

Building on these findings, RAN partnered with Patternmakers and Destination NSW in 2025 to develop practical resources that help artists, tourism operators, councils and cultural organisations work together to grow arts and cultural tourism. The resulting toolkit provides practical strategies, case studies and planning resources designed to break down sector silos and support stronger collaboration across the arts, tourism and local government sectors.

This statewide initiative provides an important foundation for growing cultural tourism across regional NSW and ensuring communities can maximise the social, cultural and economic benefits of their creative assets.

Cultural Tourism is a strategic focus for Arts North West and the network of 15 Regional Arts Development Organisations in NSW. The Regional Arts Network (RAN) commissioned a research report in 2024 on Cultural Tourism in regional NSW, undertaken by Patternmakers and funded through Create NSW.

As part of this research process, Arts North West identified and collated over 3500 inputs of data to better understand the impact and affects of Cultural Tourism in the NSW as well as our region. A copy of the report is available through the link below:

2024 Cultural Tourism Report - Full Version

what happened NEXT?

In 2025, the NSW Regional Arts Network (RAN) commissioned this new set of resources to support arts and cultural tourism in regional NSW.

Working in collaboration with research agency Patternmakers and Destination NSW, and supported by Create NSW, it interviewed a range of stakeholders and gathered examples of how arts and cultural tourism is working in different communities around the State.

These resources were prepared for the NSW Regional Arts Network by Andrew Gray as part of the Regional Futures initiative and Tandi Palmer from Patternmakers, with the support from the NSW Government through Create NSW and advice from Destination NSW.

resources for supporting arts & cultural tourism in regional nsw

Arts and cultural tourism refers to travel experiences centred on creative life, heritage and cultural expression. This includes visiting galleries and museums, attending festivals and live performances, engaging in First Nations cultural experiences, exploring heritage places, public art, literature, music, food culture and creative workshops.

Arts and Cultural Tourism Toolkit

What is this resource?

A set of tips, examples and opportunities to support arts and cultural tourism in NSW.

The resource has a particular focus on regional NSW.

Who is it for?

This resource is designed to be used by three key groups:

● Artists and cultural organisations

● Tourism operators and event organisers

● Enabling agencies and Councils

These sectors often work in different ‘silos’. This resource is about bringing them together and exploring how to work for mutual benefit.

What can I use it for?

● Get to know more about cultural tourism in section 1

● Skim the ‘quick tips’ in section 2 to get ideas

● Browse the examples in section 3 for inspiration

● Use the templates in workshops or planning days

● Share the resource with colleagues who might find it helpful

● Reference the resources, and the research report, in decision-making and investment

How to use it

● This interactive PDF is designed to help you move around the document, taking you quickly to sections that are most relevant and of interest

● The tabs at the top of each page jump to those main sections of the resource

Acknowledgements

These resources were prepared for the NSW Regional Arts Network by Andrew Gray as part of the Regional Futures initiative and Tandi Palmer from Patternmakers, with the support from the NSW Government through Create NSW and advice from Destination NSW.

How was this resource developed?

In 2025, the NSW Regional Arts Network (RAN) commissioned this new set of resources to support arts and cultural tourism in regional NSW.

Working in collaboration with research agency Patternmakers and Destination NSW, and supported by Create NSW, it interviewed a range of stakeholders and gathered examples of how arts and cultural tourism is working in different communities around the State.

About the Regional Arts Network

The Regional Arts Network is a group of fifteen Regional Arts Development Organisations (RADOs), developed over the past 30 years with core funding from the NSW Government and through local Council support.

The RADOs provide services and leadership for sustainable arts and cultural development in regional NSW, including creating opportunities for creative professionals and strategic projects.

Partners: **NSW Regional Arts Network, Pattern makers **with advice from Destination NSW

Coordinated on behalf of the NSW Regional Arts Network by Arts OutWest

Project officer: Andrew Gray, with Tandi Palmer from Patternmakers

Funding: Create NSW

Location: ** Statewide**

When: developed 2025, launched 2026

Cover: The Living Desert and Sculptures, Broken Hill. Credit Destination NSW Photographer Jason Ierace

Arts North West Cultural Tourism Workshops

Arts North West recently welcomed regional artists, tourism operators, councils, cultural organisations and community leaders to two Cultural Tourism Toolkit Workshops facilitated by renowned cultural tourism specialist Andrew Gray.

Developed in response to the findings of the Regional Arts Network's 2024 Regional Cultural Tourism Report, the workshops explored how arts and culture can drive visitation, strengthen local economies and create authentic visitor experiences. Participants gained practical skills in identifying cultural assets, developing tourism-ready experiences, building cross-sector partnerships and promoting regional stories.

We were thrilled to welcome 8 participants in Quirindi at Club Quirindi and 14 participants in Armidale at NERAM, with lively discussions highlighting the strength of cultural tourism across the New England North West.

A huge thank you to Andrew Gray for sharing his knowledge and experience, and to everyone who attended and contributed to the conversations. We look forward to seeing these ideas continue to grow into exciting cultural tourism opportunities across our region.