An evening celebration of creativity has boosted the arts as well as the economy.
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Overnight and day visitors supported ArtWalk 2019, bringing an economic contribution to the area of about $193,960, according to Port Macquarie-Hastings Council.
An estimated 13,500 people immersed themselves in arts and culture in the Port Macquarie CBD during the July 18 event.
The celebration showcased artists and their work, museums, galleries and musicians.
The event worked collaboratively with the support of the business community, which teamed up with artists, opening businesses at night to provide pop-up gallery spaces.
Public spaces came alive with artistic expression too.
The program added lead-up events as well as satellite events over the following weekend.
A council report said the estimated 13,500 people at the celebration showed a growth of more than 300 per cent from the inaugural event in 2016, which highlighted a continued desire for arts and cultural activities.
"The ArtWalk 2019 event resulted not only in a vibrant CBD that drove a night-time economy, it fostered creative collaborations, raised the profile of our arts and cultural sector within the community and provided enduring connections between artists, businesses, council and the community," the report said.
"The success of ArtWalk and feedback received from visitors and stakeholders points to the significant opportunity to continue to grow the event and the demonstrated positive outcomes in future years."
The council will support the growth of ArtWalk to become one of its signature events in 2020 and beyond.
Cr Lee Dixon said ArtWalk was a great event.
He congratulated staff, volunteers and the community for making it such a success.
Cr Rob Turner said he looked forward to ArtWalk growing and becoming one of the council's signature events.
ArtWalk 2019 came in at a cost of $43,909.
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