The approach integrates the skills and creativity of artists (often local) as part of broader community development strategies to ensure diverse community representation. Policy development and decision making must emerge from a communities articulation of its own values, identity, aspirations. This is the starting point and cultural activities can assist. Cultural artists and practitioners are uniquely placed to unearth the ideas and experiences of communities especially those who are not normally reached by traditional methods.

Techniques can be diverse and include visual and performing arts, video and film production, graphic design and computer imagery.

Community Cultural Development Techniques are useful for visioning exercises such as the development of a community plan. They are particular valuable for community building and neighbourhood renewal activities where new agendas and new ways of looking at issues can be forged, interpreted and developed.

As with the techniques this will vary widely and the creative scope is potentially endless.

• Techniques for engaging a broad and often extensive range of participants.
• Terrific engagement potential for the community which can often result in ongoing activities.
• Can create lasting and beautiful outputs.
• Provides local artists with employment and opportunities to spread ideas.
• A technique which enables an entirely fresh approach to local policy issues to be taken and new perspectives made on the role of local governments and culture.

• Can be costly depending on materials required.

Costs will relate to employment of local artists, associated venue hire and cost of materials for production of artwork.