The Australian Government has released a consultation paper for the next National Cultural Policy, building on the framework established by the current policy, Revive. The pillars in Revive will endure but will be updated in response to a rapidly evolving arts and cultural environment. Stakeholders are invited to contribute their perspectives to shape the future direction of Australian arts and cultural policy.
As part of consultation to support the development of a new National Cultural Policy, the Australian Government has released a consultation paper to guide public input. The government has started consultation because the current cultural policy, Revive, has been in play for three of its five years. They want to take stock of its progress while planning for what comes after it.
To that end, the consultation paper summarises the achievements of Revive to date, provides context for the consultation, including a brief discussion of opportunities and challenges facing arts and culture in Australia now, and provides information on how people can participate. It is a progress report and a call to action.
Arts Minister Tony Burke opens the consultation paper cautioning that arts must not be sidelined and that arts and culture must be understood beyond mere entertainment alone. The paper touches (albeit briefly) on:
- First Nations arts and culture,
- the arts workforce
- the economic contribution of the arts,
- arts and culture’s role in shaping personal and national identity and the national story,
- how arts participation continures to social well being, including:
- social cohesion and connectedness,
- cross-cultural understanding,
- mental and physical health outcomes from arts participation,
- interest in Australia stories globally and cultural export and trade,
- cultural diplomacy,
- creativity, creative thinking and innovation,
- digital platforms and how those imapct:
- authenticity,
- creators’ rights,
- remuneration for creators, and
- consumer behaviour in arts and culture
- changing expectations around access, discoverability and participation, and
- cost of living pressures.
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Revive’s progress
The government report that 75 actions out of 85 total in the cultural policy have been delivered. Examples of achievements include:
