Many artists and artisans - musicians, sculptors, painters, ceramicists and poets - call the Snowy Mountains region home. The landscape has inspired and drawn people here over many decades. Banjo Paterson spent time here (his poem “The Geebung Polo Club” was written about the Polo Club at Cooma); Patrick White worked for a short time at “Bolaro” near Adaminaby; Dorothea McKeller was governess at “Coolringdon” homestead; Miles Franklin was born at Talbingo. More recently, artists like Prue Acton, and the internationally-renowned Imants Tillers - have settled in the Snowies.

Art exhibitions and competitions are held year-round, across the district. Notably, the Raglan Gallery and Cultural Centre (located inside the historic Lord Raglan Inn, Cooma) is being established as a Regional Gallery, and hosts local and travelling exhibitions.

Almost anywhere you travel across the Snowies, you will hear music playing. Whether its a live band in a ski resort nightclub, blues on Thredbo’s Village Green, the Cooma District brass band marching on ANZAC Day, or an acapella choir – there is a soundtrack to your holiday. Apart from individual businesses promoting their own gigs, groups such as the Snowy River Arts Council and the Snowy Monaro Arts Council bring a variety of musical acts to the region.

Theatre-lovers are also catered for. The Cooma Little Theatre has entertained audiences throughout the mountains for 50 years. The Thredbo Players present one of Shakespeare’s masterpieces each year on the Village Green in Thredbo. The beautiful Olympia Theatre in Bombala occasionally hosts visiting theatre companies.

“Culture” also means “belonging” to the residents of the Snowies region. To find out more about the history, aboriginality, and lifestyle of our different shires, information can be found at South East Arts Region website.