A new 'Culture Task Force', an advice centre for artists and a small grants fund are to be part of Edinburgh's new cultural policy.
The new plan, to be discussed by councillors next week, includes a series of six aims as well as the task force, to be lead by a "cultural big hitter", to advise and guide council arts policy.
The new cultural policy has been developed by the City of Edinburgh Council with input from local artists, directors and venues, the Desire Lines group.
The council will set up an online "one stop shop" for advice, information and support of artists in early 2016 if the plan is approved.
It will give advice on licensing, regulations, funds, and other crucial information for artists, companies and others who wish to stage a cultural event.
The task force, which will meet quarterly, will bring together "influential leaders from a broad spectrum of national and city interests", the strategy document says.
A "high profile" chair will be announced shortly.
The task force will include the chief executive of the council as well as five members taken from the Desire Lines cultural discussion group, and three members from national bodies, amongst its membership.
Councillor Richard Lewis, convener for culture and sport, said the task force will advise and also interrogate council policy and actions.
"The task force is not us kicking the ball into the long grass, the task force will give us an idea of where our priorities lie," he said.
Councillor Lewis said he also wants the council to set up a small fund of cash, called the Open Fund, to enable arts events, performances and shows to "get off the ground" with grants for between £200 and £5000.
The grants, which would be set up to be "quickly voted through" will enable artists to book spaces, venues, or otherwise enable ideas to reach fruition.
"Even a small amount of money can go a long way," he said.
He added: "In a declining budget overall, we have to think creatively ourselves."
On the advice centre for artists, he said: "The one stop shop is new for the council and it for anyone who wants to put on an event, and it will inform them what is required by us and what is required of them.
"It is not sexy or glamorous but it is something that has been a question for a long time - we want to do something, how do we do this?"
The task force will, the strategy says, "debate, prioritise and agree the key actions which will ensure that culture remains at the heart of the city’s success" as well as "advocate the benefits and importance of culture to the city."
The full content of the Culture Plan will be available from early 2016 in a purpose-designed website, which will be "updated on a continuous basis".
The six cultural objectives of the council are: "ensure that everyone has access to world class cultural provision, encourage the highest standards of creativity and excellence in all aspects of cultural activity, support greater partnership working in the cultural sector and maximise resources available to help it thrive all year round, articulate the positive impact of culture in Edinburgh and promote Edinburgh’s cultural success locally, nationally and internationally, develop and support the infrastructure which sustains Edinburgh’s cultural sector" and "invest in artist and practitioner development and support and sustain the local artistic community."
In a statement, Councillor Lewis added: "Edinburgh is a global destination for creativity, innovation and excellence in the arts. We haven’t built and maintained this reputation by chance. Our 1999 Cultural Policy has been very successful - and indeed led to the creation of Festivals Edinburgh - but the landscape has changed dramatically over the last 16 years.
“We are planning to refresh our ways of thinking and working with the creative sector. Our vision will still be to maintain and build on Edinburgh’s world-wide reputation for the arts and festivals, but we’ll also focus on home-grown talent and infrastructure and better collaboration."
He adds: "Should it be approved next week, the new Culture Plan and dedicated online resources for the cultural community will launch in early 2016.”
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