Marcus Westbury on how fluid cities create

Cultural planning policy commentator Marcus Westbury has penned an article on what makes a city culturally dynamic - themes which are of interest to anyone inspired by the potential  of the small bars movement for the cultural development of the NSW identity, community and economy.

Download Fluid cities create by Marcus Westbury

The tangled minefield that stretches from public liability insurance to risk assessments, to liquor licensing, legal costs, copyright compliance, noise regulations, place of public entertainment licensing, is a formidable barrier to creative initiative.

Collectively, these issues have been known to consume the resources of even a professional arts company and kill a not yet professional one much more quickly than a bad show.

Obligatory consultants, large fees and the threat of heavy fines have clipped a lot of cultural activity before it ever started. Without a personal willingness to act responsibly but not necessarily thoroughly (or legally) in the face of these questions, I would never have got started. Culture is not so much what you plan but what you get away with.

Hear the related interview on ABC Radio Nationals By Design.