Rosie Dennis outlines priorities for Arts Northern Rivers after first 100 days

Rosie Dennis, recently appointed Executive Director of Arts Northern Rivers, has outlined her priorities for the region after 100 days in the role. The region, which includes Lismore—epicenter of the 2022 floods—faces extraordinary socioeconomic disparity, with Byron, Tweed, and Ballina among Australia's wealthiest LGAs, and Richmond Valley, Kyogle, and Clarence Valley at the other extreme. Dennis, who bought a home on Lismore's floodplain, emphasizes the need to be embedded in the community. She has identified four key areas for the next 12-18 months: affordable space, sector capacity, cultural tourism, and First Nations-led cultural development. The Who We Are report, produced by predecessor Jane Fuller in 2023-24, provides a post-flood snapshot showing the region hosts nearly 5,000 cultural workers and is Australia's largest creative hub outside a capital city, generating $900 million in economic impact in 2021. However, cultural tourism in 2023 drew 598,000 visitors generating $435 million, 18% below pre-flood levels. Dennis is mapping underutilized spaces, piloting residencies in Tweed Heads, and brokering placements with institutions like Carriageworks and Ensemble Offspring. She is also establishing a First Nations reference group and pitching cultural itineraries to Destination NSW North Coast. The region's creative community is described as exhausted but hopeful.