The planning sessions have been hammered out, the public meetings have been chaired and the open houses have been hosted.
Now the delicate work of drawing together all the strings of latest City of Richmond Arts Strategy can begin in earnest.
Much groundwork has been carried out on updating the 2004 strategy for the local arts scene with a draft for the next five years.
And if the last eight years are anything to go by, the 2012-17 direction has a tough act to follow.
"We've been looking at what's happening in the community and the community is growing all the time and its diversity is ever changing," said Kim Somerville, the city's arts services manager.
Asked why the city even needs an Arts Strategy, Somerville pointed to the "gains" the city has made since the inception of the first such grand plan in 2004.
"We've brought in the City Arts Grants; we have more arts staff (in city hall); more arts-related events, such as the Maritime Festival having an arts focus; the oval's arts program; increased media coverage and the Arts Awards," she said.
Somerville said the city's arts department will use the updated strategy as a "launchpad" when it's presented before city council in the fall.
And of the draft highlights viewed by the public at the recent open houses, the one recurring message would appear to be the need for "much-needed physical infrastructure" to support what is reputed to be a burgeoning arts community in Richmond.
Also prominent was the need for "five strategic directions," each aimed at strengthening and growing the art scene and industry.
1. Strengthen and support the arts community (a possible recommendation being to attract and retain emerging young artists by providing training, employment and volunteer opportunities).
2. Increase the number of arts spaces (facilitate access to and provide more affordable rehearsal, performance, production and presentation spaces).
3. Broaden the diversity of arts experiences (build bridges between the arts and the broader community).
4. Expand public awareness (Develop an Arts Marketing Plan).
5. Broaden the economic potential (Provide opportunities for the business community to invest and support in the arts).
"We want to see more opportunities for art and contributions to the art community," added Somerville. "The strategy will look at art spaces and the City Centre Area Plan (CCAP) identifies an art precinct, so we'll be looking to include that again.
Somerville said there's also the possibility of the popular and sometimes controversial Biennale temporary public art exhibition coming to town once again. "It sure created a lot of debate and dialogue," she said.
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