Background
Methodology
Key Projects
Director Profiles
Wheelhouse works with clients to deliver punchy, successful and dynamic projects. We provide a full suite of services including concept planning, community engagement, documentation and contract administration. Wheelhouse are specialised cultural planners with relevant expertise delivering strategies and plans for the arts and creative sector.
Background
Wheelhouse recognises the important role festivals and events play in providing connection points; contemporary experiences; activation of public spaces and the acknowledgement and celebration of a collective heritage for a community.
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Wheelhouse has relevant experience in strategic planning for cultural festivals in regional settings, and co-director Angelica Clunes worked across two biennial festivals with the Castlemaine State Festival, which included business planning and audience development work. We have also developed both arts and cultural strategies and event frameworks for regional councils in Victoria.
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Wheelhouse can provide clear and comprehensive plans that include strategies for:
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Increased financial sustainability, including funding and alternative income generation opportunities
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Ongoing organisational growth and planning
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Curatorial vision and programming to ensure relevance and authentic engagement with communities
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Community aspirations, investment and partnerships
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Alignment with Victorian tourism and events policies in order to maximise visitation
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Staff and volunteer recruitment processes
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Ongoing collection of useful data
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Wheelhouse are experts in sharing information and coming together to brainstorm ideas and solutions. We work in a supportive manner that encourages collaboration and allows a diversity of outcomes. As arts and event managers, directors and planners we are focused on ideas and solutions. We love working with people and organisations who are ready to think bravely, want to get stuff done and place creativity & people at the heart of what they do.
Our approach to project management and delivery is relevant, creative and bespoke. As a small consultancy studio we pride ourselves on our ability to get in deep and find effective and creative solutions to problems. We specialise in authentic community and stakeholder engagement and we are considered in our recommendations.
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Methodology
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Project Inception
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Meet with project management team to confirm the scope of the project, governance, meeting schedules, timeline and collate additional source material and resources
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Following the inception meeting final confirmation of the project plan and timeline will be provided ​
01
Review Phase
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Review key literature
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Benchmarking of industry best practice
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Assist in the development of any required documents and / or methodology for community consultations, including media releases and / or social media plans
02
Engagement Phase
Community engagement processes with stakeholders to include;
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Focus groups with local Councils and portfolio staff
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Focus groups with relevant Committee groups
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Round table discussions with identified key stakeholders - artists, business groups, tourism and visitor services, cultural producers, community members
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Survey - to include online, paper and telephone options​
03
Consolidation and Delivery Phase
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Development and delivery of draft strategy to Project Management Group
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Feedback and edits from PMG incorporated into draft strategy
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Delivery and presentation of final strategy to PMG - presentation to Council if requested
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Submission of electronic documents, raw data and resources
Wheelhouse are experienced in using IAP2 engagement principles to plan and implement relevant and interesting engagement plans. We apply these principles when considering recommendations to ensure the roles of Council and its partners are well defined. Wheelhouse will work in accordance with Council's Community Engagement Framework across the design and implementation of methods of engagement.
Wheelhouse directors understand the importance of using analytics and collecting comprehensive input at the planning and development stages of new projects. We have been responsible for developing and distributing audience surveys and collating and analysing data for inclusion into acquittal reports for key stakeholders, partners and funding bodies. We have extensive knowledge of the needs, constraints, marketing and evaluation capacity of the creative sector and excellent project management skills.
Wheelhouse recognises the key stakeholders for this report will include; residents and visitors, community groups, creative businesses, advisory groups, Shire Council staff and Councillors, Committee members past and present, schools, town progress / community associations, development committees, businesses with an investment in growth within the areas, events and tourism businesses and operators, Creative Victoria, Victorian Multicultural Commission, Visit Victoria and community stakeholders with a specific interest in public events.​