The arts and cultural community of Dorrigo is vibrant and innovative, reflecting the diversity of individuals whether working in isolation or collaboratively.

The Arts Council of the Dorrigo continues to actively serve the communities cultural needs after 20 years. Activities like concerts and visiting performers including Sirocco in the Rainforest, The Sydney Conservatorium Cello Ensemble and Circus Monoxide. Sponsoring workshops has become a major focus in recent years, providing the community with the opportunity to explore a range of creative pursuits.

The Dorrigo Dramatic Club, the longest running amateur theatre in the region, is housed in the Old Gazette Theatre providing an outlet for thespian endeavours including Young Drama.

The people of the Plateau, whether or not involved with either of these two groups, consistently create and organise many local events, including:

• The Easter Creative Mountain Arts and Craft Exhibition
  showcasing the diversity of local talents and expertise;
• The biennial Dorrigo Film and Documentary Festival;
• The Dorrigo Folk and Bluegrass Festival held in 2002 for
  the first time - expects to become an annual event;
• Dorrigo and Guy Fawkes Agricultural Show which includes
  the Fine Arts, Photography and Students Sections;
• Monthly Dorrigo Market;
• Lantern Parade and Fireworks,
• An active Youth Centre recently conducted street culture
  and Aerosol art workshops culminating in the completion
  of a mural at their centre;
• Dorrigo Movie Club
• The Visual Arts Group incorporating the Paddock Painters
• Woodworkers Group
• Fibre Group, Spinners and Weavers
• Lace Making Group
• Fortnightly Cattle Sale
• Silver Spurs Rodeo and Ponyclub gymkhanas

Community Projects include:

A fine example of a community mosaic outside the Community Centre, created by local artists and students, depicting our local environment. On the side of Baileys Produce store is another mosaic.

A Sculpture Garden is being created at the local High school using wood, metal, clay and landscaped plantings. This area is an evolving space, a product of the abundance of fertile imaginations, youthful enthusiasm and creativity, guided by dedicated teachers and mentoring artists.

Through the efforts of a committed community that welcomes newcomers and new ideas, the Dorrigo arts and cultural scene continues to be instilled with new vigour and vitality with ever expanding horizons.

The vibrant, active Dorrigo Plateau community includes painters, woodworkers and carvers, potters and ceramic artists, fibre artists, paper makers, metal workers, sculptors, graphic artists, writers, musicians, and thespians. Not to mention the committed people who organise and run our events. Many of these artisans offer tuition and ongoing workshops.

Dorrigo Arts Council Inc.
Newsletter, minutes and history

The Old Gazette Theatre &
Dorrigo Dramatic Club
The Dramatic Club has performed hundreds of succesfull plays over the years and still is performing strongly. Young Drama is running each Saturday morning 10:00am - 12:00pm.
The Movie Club screens 16mm movies every 2nd Saturday in the theatre.