The Cultural Planning Forums in Victoria may be of interest to PASCAL subscribers and especially the network within the Learning Cities Network (LCN) concerned with Harnessing Cultural Policies in Building Sustainable Learning Cities.

The forums are presented by the Cultural Development Network (CDN) in collaboration with the Arts and Cultural Committee, Municipal Association of Victoria, and the Melbourne City Council, Corangamite Shire Council, Gannawarra Shire Council, Mitchell Shire Council and Latrobe City Council.

The Cultural Development Network team was pleased to work with colleagues from across the state during April and May, in the first round of our series of forums on Cultural Planning. The engagement of councils has been very encouraging, with more than 50 of Victoria's 79 councils participating. This series is presented by CDN in collaboration with the Arts and Culture Committee, Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV), with support from Arts Victoria, and five council hosts. Read more about the first series of forums here.

The second event of the series is being held in June in central Melbourne (Melbourne City Council) and four regional locations: Camperdown (Corangamite Shire Council); Kerang (Gannawarra Shire Council); Seymour (Mitchell Shire Council) and Traralgon (Latrobe City Council.

This event will particularly focus on the use of evidence in planning; how to use and collect data, how to draw from existing research and how to evaluate plans and activities.

The format will include presentations, group discussion, case studies and information about resources. Participants will also:

• Share knowledge and ideas with councils in each region;
• Link in to worldwide networks and resources on culture and planning;
• Consider your own council’s plan in the light of a shared statewide approach.

Forum Facilitators: John Smithies and Dr. Kim Dunphy, Cultural Development Network, with contributions from local professionals in each location.

The forums are tailored to local government staff involved in developing and implementing cultural plans. New participants are welcome at these two events as we will start each session with a recap of previous content. Cost: $65 each forum. Register here. Find out more here:

CULTURAL FORUM ENQUIRIES: Dr Kim Dunphy. Research Program Manager, CDN, ph: 0417 038 824, [email protected]

MAV ENQUIRIES: Clare Hargreaves, Manager, Social Policy, MAV, ph: 03 9667 5543, [email protected]