A new set of online maps pulls together arts and cultural experiences in Central NSW - and Canowindra is featured.
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Culture Maps Central NSW uses maps and pop-up images to pinpoint museums, heritage sites and trails; galleries and artist studios; places to shop for handmade things; Aboriginal cultural places and experiences, and a comprehensive regional map of public art.
Locals are being encouraged to use the new maps - online at centralnsw.com - to discover cultural gems in their own backyard these school holidays.
The new resource was launched in Bathurst by Arts OutWest, Central NSW Joint Organisation of Councils and Regional Development Australia Central West.
CEO of the Central NSW Joint Organisation of Councils, Jenny Bennett, said art and culture are rated as the top things for visitors to see and do when travelling throughout regional NSW.
"The maps reveal the diversity of these experiences available in our own backyard," Ms Bennett said.
"It's a great resource for locals to familiarise themselves; ready for when their visitors can safely return or for exploring places close to home."
Some of the 400 pinned places in Culture Maps Central NSW include Bathurst's brand new Rail Museum; bushranger history and tours in Eugowra, Canowindra and Forbes; Orange's booming art galleries and artisan shops; the huge silo art murals in Portland and Grenfell; Cowra's history told through a mobile app; and places to connect with Aboriginal culture like the Wiradjuri Study Centre in Condobolin.
RDA Central West CEO, Sam Harma explained that Culture Maps Central NSW will also play an important role for the local tourism economy in a post-Covid recovery.
"This is a region that is full of art, culture and history; but those assets are not just fascinating to explore, they are a really important part of the regional economy," Mr Harma said.
"In 2018 cultural and heritage visitors spent $14billion in NSW, with a not-insignificant portion of that being driven by regional NSW."
Arts OutWest executive director Tracey Callinan added that the maps also highlight the increase in public art making.
"There's nearly 300 items of public art pinned to the map, showcasing the real boom in public art making in the last decade," she said.
The maps are themed so you can search by category, for example heritage or Aboriginal cultural experiences, or location including Bathurst, Blayney, Cabonne, Cowra, Forbes, Lachlan, Lithgow, Oberon, Orange, Parkes and Weddin Local Government Areas.
