This project came about after the death of local artist Pro Hart in 2006 led to concerns that the arts sector in far western NSW was both ageing and declining. Instead researchers Lisa Andersen and Jane Andrew found a confident, growing sector where professional visual artists in Broken Hill find inspiration from the landscape and earn more income and have more time to work on their creative practices than artists in urban locations.

However, there is work to be done and the report makes 51 recommendations for developing arts and cultural industries and increasing community engagement; including a professional artist network, a new market development agency, mentoring and apprenticeship programs for young people, greater visibility for Indigenous artists, and the establishment of a Film Museum in the town. An initiative of the Far Western Development Board, Regional Arts NSW, NSW Department of State and Regional Development and West Darling Arts.