Conversations with the CEO: The real value of arts service organisations

1/4/2026

In this edition I want to write about work that happens in service organisations, why we try not to focus too heavily on project delivery, and despite this, how projects can make a difference when they are strategically developed. In the arts we’re often judged on our program and the exciting elements that our projects provide. But working in a service organisation means that our real value often lies in the things we achieve for other people.

Our strategic plan states that the vision of Regional Arts NSW (RANSW) is for an inspired, connected, vital and empowered arts and cultural sector in regional NSW. Our mission is to lead the conversation, encourage collaboration, provide support and celebrate the achievements of the arts and cultural sector in regional NSW. And that’s what we do. I am a firm believer in ensuring that any strategic plan is a living document that reflects the core of our existence, that captures the big picture of our purpose, able to be applied every day in the way we turn that vision into a range of actions. And yet we are often asked to summarise our achievements in terms of how many people attended our events, how many new works we created. In a service organisation, these are not the everyday actions that we focus on. At RANSW I am far more concerned with questions like: Did we improve the experience of being a regional arts practitioner today? Did we help the value of regional arts to be recognised today? Did we help connect people in the regions to more opportunities today?

However, at RANSW we do take on large state-wide projects that help move things forward in a particular direction. At the moment our big project is RALLY. The strategic need that we identified was to help people active in small communities throughout regional NSW that are using the arts to help their town thrive. We’ve called it arts-led regeneration, although there are many names applied to this process. We’ve loved the conversation we’ve been having with our cohort of over 50 ‘rural innovators’. We’ve enjoyed hearing from a range of expert presenters putting forward ideas and approaches. It’s been so great to get on the road with my co-presenter Alex Wisser from Cementa in Kandos, to deliver workshops in towns such as Harden, Deniliquin, Broken Hill and Ganmain (which is around 40 minutes’ drive north west of Wagga – if you’re wondering). And we were excited recently to see the success of a workshop with designers to recognise their place in bringing creativity and renewal to small towns.

This month, just before Anzac Day, we will bring many of our RALLY participants together in person for our RALLY Kandos Assembly. While we can do so much online to bring people from the regions to talk, learn and explore ideas, sometimes there is so much to be gained from getting everyone in the same room to have those more detailed conversations, share ideas, learn from one another. Everyone is invited to this event and it’s free. Okay the fuel costs are bit scary at the moment, but the region does have fuel. And the Great Western Highway is closed indefinitely but there is an alternative way around if you’re coming from that direction. There is no doubt that the regions are doing it tough at the moment, and we will therefore value even more the opportunity to spend time together. I hope to see many of you in Kandos for our event which will start with lunch on Thursday 23rd April and will finish off with a barbeque lunch on Friday 24th April, before we head into the Anzac Day weekend. Anyone with any sort of interest in how the arts helps our small communities to recover, grow, to rally, is very welcome.

– Dr Tracey Callinan OAM, CEO of Regional Arts NSW

Want to join us at the RALLY Assembly? Learn more & register here.