ICE's History

ICE began in the 1980s as a Parramatta-Holroyd mobile community information service, operating out of a van, and was established in 1993 in its current form. In 1993 the Community Cultural Development Program commenced and the existing Community Information Technology Program shifted from provision of generalist information to information and communications technology (ICT). ICE acted as an arts and information organisation for the Parramatta and Holroyd areas, and had two annually-funded positions.

In the late 1990s, ICE began to experience a general increase in demands for our services, particularly towards the areas of information technology and multimedia and digital arts. In order to identify our key competencies and better serve the needs of our target markets, ICE undertook a restructure and strategic planning process. Through this process, ICE decided to consolidate, and to focus on the nexus between arts and information and communications technology (ICT). It soon expanded to encompass service delivery for the Greater Western Sydney region, because of its unique combination of arts information, ICT and cultural development.

A series of successful outcomes on small-scale collaborative projects focused in two local government areas engaged and developed the capacity of communities in Western Sydney. This process fed back into ICE, as participants and communities began to identify needs and gaps in resources, and develop ideas for their own projects. ICE sought to respond strategically to these demands, working collaboratively, developing new projects and practices, building partnerships, and moving into new geographical and conceptual areas where the need was greatest.

ICE’s profile grew as it built partnerships and was entrusted with larger, innovative projects that have contributed to the organisation’s development such as Artfiles: the Arts Directory for Western Sydney, a partnership with 12 Western Sydney Councils and Arts NSW, as well and SWITCH Multimedia and Digital Arts Access Centre, a partnership with Parramatta City Council.

Since 2001 ICE has been through a phase of rapid growth and change. ICE has grown from two permanent staff in 2001 to 12 in 2006. Our income has also increased substantially, growing ten-fold during this period. We have expanded projects, partnerships, geographical and conceptual areas of work, and our profile and as a result have become even better equipped to meet the needs of our clients.