They've both seen engagement they never dreamed of during COVID-19 lockdowns, but Tamworth Art Gallery and City Library are showing no signs of stopping now.
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Having to think on their feet, their online innovations have brought art and culture to the masses, spanning much further than just the Tamworth boundary.
Kay Delahunt, Cultural and Community Services manager, said the library's click and collect initiative had seen borrowings soar to over 20 per cent more than pre-COVID times.
Over 5000 items were borrowed from the town's library in just two months, and across the over 15,000 items.
"I don't think we had any expectations, but it went extremely well," Ms Delahunt explained.
"We also found with the Central Northern Regional Library, we normally travel out to do workshops and programs, but we've found we have been able to extend our reach with the online programs.
"Moving forward we hope to have a mix of face to face and online programs."
Kelly Makepeace, the library's early childhood literacy officer, said their initiatives with online story-time as part of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, had seen them achieve national recognition.
"[The program] featured our online programs in their monthly newsletter," she enthused.
"Around 6000 families across Australia have been accessing our online programs run here in Tamworth," she said.
Around 6000 families across Australia have been accessing our online programs run here in Tamworth.
- Kelly Makepeace
The Art Gallery have seen incredible online engagement, spanning out to as far as Canada. Director Bridget Guthrie said they were "really excited" over the response to their virtual exhibitions, as well as workshops.
"Through a combination of online workshops, online exhibition content, we have been able to continue to provide visual arts to our communities," she said.
Hundreds of people have accessed their workshops in the last two months.
But for initiative like the 'Plein Air' workshops and the after schools art projects are kept intimate deliberately - yet have maxed their numbers every time.
After school arts programs have also bloomed in popularity, with a welcome benefit of giving parents a worry-free break.
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"It's that great combination, lots of parents needed that down-time too and support," she said.
"So with this they can set their child up with the materials at the computer knowing they are still getting an educational experience, and go and make a cup of tea," she laughed.
She thanked all the staff, especially Kate Armstrong and Emma Stilts, who "have responded to this environment in a constructive and professional way."
Head to their websites to keep on top of their programs and workshops.
