National Cultural Policy

[Catherine Robinson]

Minister Crean has just announced the next step in developing National Cultural Policy for Australia

"Arts Minister Simon Crean today invited all Australians to comment on a discussion paper for the country's first National Cultural Policy in almost two decades.

Mr Crean said the new policy would be a 10-year vision for how arts and creativity would be supported, developed and ushered into the mainstream of modern Australia.

"The arts are fundamental to our way of life and not just for their entertainment value," Mr Crean said.

"More than 15 million Australian adults attend at least one cultural event or performance every year - not including cinema - and our preferences for what we attend are changing.

"Film and live music performances are among the most popular forms of entertainment, ahead of the long established art forms including opera, theatre, dance and classical music.

"Today, more than half of all 15 to 24 year olds use the internet to research, view or create some kind of music, writing or artistic performance - and there is a broader audience for contemporary music, multicultural arts, modern arts and community-based activity.

"More than 285,000 people are employed directly in arts and cultural jobs and Australia's creative industries already contribute over $31 billion to industry gross product.

"The creative industries generate more for our economy in terms of output and employment than commonly recognised - but there is room for more growth.

"We want to keep up with change and ensure all Australians - no matter who they are or where they live - can access arts and culture in all its many forms, particularly in regional areas.

"The National Cultural Policy is fundamental, because the creative arts empower the individual and underpins expression, tolerance and inclusion.

"That's why they will be included in the new national curriculum, to ensure young Australians have access to learning in the creative arts.

"Labor firmly believes that a creative nation is a productive nation, which is why we invest over $740 million each year directly on the arts and other cultural activities.

"But 17 years after the Keating Government released its comprehensive cultural policy statement - Creative Nation - it's timely that we reassess and more effectively connect the arts and creative industries into the mainstream of modern Australia.

"A renewed National Cultural Policy will ensure Australia doesn't miss important opportunities to tell our stories, educate and skill our workforce and enable our culture to connect with the rest of the world."

Mr Crean said feedback on the discussion paper would be encouraged around four proposed goals:

• Ensure what the Government supports - and how this support is provided - reflects the diversity of a 21st century Australia, and protects and supports Indigenous culture;
• Encourage the use of emerging technologies and new ideas that support the development of new artworks and the creative industries in ways which enable more people to access and participate in arts and culture;
• Support excellence and world-class endeavour and strengthen the role that the arts play in telling Australian stories both here and overseas;
• Increase and strengthen the capacity of the arts to contribute to our society and economy.

Mr Crean said all Australians, whether they worked in the arts sector or not, were encouraged to read the discussion paper and make a submission.

"We also need to think creatively about how we can make best use of the considerable resources already in the arts sector to obtain better outcomes for the Australian community," he said.

"This is a major undertaking and we will continue to work closely with all sectors of the industry to achieve the best possible result."

The discussion paper has drawn on comments and issues identified during initial public consultation by former Arts Minister Peter Garrett in 2009-10.

The opportunity to provide feedback will be open for 10 weeks until 21 October and will be used to help develop the National Cultural Policy for release early next year.

The discussion paper and information about how to provide feedback is available at www.culture.arts.gov.au

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[Tatiana Antsoupova]

In addition to Pat's report on the Darwin forum, here is a link to the latest PS News with a brief report on the forum held in Sydney: http://www.psnews.com.au/Page_psn2869.html. Did any of the colleagues there had a chance to go to this?

[Alan Ventress]

I notice in the preamble to the policy there is an overview of funding for all Arts agencies in the Commonwealth including NAA which is listed as receiving over $60m.  I think it is rather misleading to indicate that all of this money is spent on 'culture'. Surely there should be a breakdown.  This would give a truer and more clear understanding on the exact amount spent in the area. A similar situation exists in NSW where State Records NSW is often listed as receiving far more money for this purpose than it actually does.

[3uh9uf42pgvht]

Dear All

Yesterday (Monday 19 September 2011) I attended a forum on the National Cultural Policy that was held in Alice Springs. The purpose of the meeting was ostensibly to gather information for a Northern Territory Government response to the Commonwealth policy. They expected about 17 people to turn up and ended up with closer to forty. Not a bad roll up for a regional centre. The Commonwealth Government was represented by First Assistant Secretary, Sally Basser from the Office for the Arts (Dept of Prime Minister and Cabinet).  She was keen to get feedback from the assembled crowd concerning the 4 goals that currently form the National Cultural Policy. The feedback that I provided was that the policy was heavily skewed towards the 'arts' and did not incorporate well at all collecting institutions/activities such as archives. This was acknowledged. With my President of the ASA hat on I had a few words privately with Sally and gave her a copy of Archives Matter! (our advocacy brochure). We flicked through it and she provided some insight as to the kind of things that would capture attention, such as telling Australian Stories, community identity and personal identity. Those present were also encouraged to go on-line and do the short survey (as well as doing a longer submission should you wish). I encourage you also to do the short survey and in the comments field mention archives and archivists. Here's the link  http://culture.arts.gov.au/have-your-say

The ASA will also be making a formal submission and encourages your participation in our submission as well. Please send them to [e-mail]

 

Cheers

Pat Jackson

President Australian Society of Archivists

[1lo0jp13ms0lm]

Great that you were able to make it along to this Pat and fly the Archives flag. Do you know if they are having any more of these type of forums in other centres? It would be great if some more of us could make it along. I agree that the goals are heavily skewed to the 'arts' and largely silent on achives and collecting institutions. I think the 5 minute survey is an simple forum for indiviuals to include an archival slant and encourage everyone to have their say. Of course the longer submission is a more heavy weight opportunity for us to stand up to be counted.Regards Margaret

[Margaret Paterson]

Thanks for putting this up Catherine - you beat me to it!

I encouage everyone to have a look at this. This type of opportunity doesn't come around very often. There is a 5 minute survey that allows you to have your say or the opportunity to make a submission if you would like to have a bit bigger say.

Regards

Margaret