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Australian Cultural Policy:. Integrating Indigenous Cultures and Defining a National Identity. By: Summer Hornsby SIS 645 June 23, 2013. History and Context. Australia is home to both indigenous tribal and immigrant cultures
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Australian Cultural Policy: Integrating Indigenous Cultures and Defining a National Identity By: Summer Hornsby SIS 645 June 23, 2013
History and Context • Australia is home to both indigenous tribal and immigrant cultures • Immigrants were primarily “white” – from the UK, Ireland, and Europe • World War II was a turning point = growth in more liberal and neutral views on political, economic, and social issues • The Aborigines have been the “dark side” of Australian history
The Lost Generation • Photo still from Lost Generation film, “Rabbit-Proof Fence” • In the 1970s, the government took Aboriginal children from their homes and attempted to assimilate them into “white” culture by placing them into alternate families • The indigenous population was segregated, often struggling to survive due to poverty, unequal rights, or social discrimination issues
Aboriginal Culture • The Aborigines are a highly creative culture, with elements of music, dance, visual arts, and storytelling in their traditions • Graffiti Art became popular as the generation following the “lost” population started to find their voice • This was a stepping stone to indigenous rights being granted in the framework of a cultural policy • Photo from art Brynteg School collection
A New Cultural Policy • It had been 40 years since the last cultural policy document received updating – “Creative Nation” • March 2013 – “Creative Australia” was established • Local, state (territory), and regional governing bodies are in charge of arts and cultural activities • Each community has the ability to choose how to engage and fund these activities
Creative Australia: Key Points • Australia Arts Council – State level organization handling the funding of arts and culture programs, as well as grant opportunities and strategic directions for each organization it deals with • Office of the Arts – held within the Dept of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts, and Sports as the main facilitator of funding at the regional/local levels **this includes training organizations and administration of policy, research, and statistics
New Framework, New Goals • Creative Australia outlines 12 key areas that pertain to the policy and its success: • Collections • Creative Industries • Cultural Diversity • Film and Television • Indigenous • Literature • Moveable Cultural Heritage • Music • Public Consutlations • Regional and Touring Arts • Visual Arts • Arts Education Photo from Delight Makers (.com) – musician collaboration to expose oppression
Measurable Success • A new database partnership was created between the National Museum of Australia and Museums Australia • Provides easier access to collections and resources are more readily available to be shared • A collaboration with the National Centre for Culture and Recreation has created the ability to track and measure changes specifically regarding the new policy • Economic value of the arts • Cultural Heritage • Arts participation • Public Investment • Creative industries • Standards of Excellence “Garden of Australian Dreams” at NMA
Why is this important? • The development of a new cultural policy document to incorporate indigenous values, particularly through the arts, has helped to unify a divided population • The policy spans three key areas that affect culture: Education, the Arts, and Social Engagement • The document has become a leading example of social/political reform regarding indigenous/tribal cultures and the protection and integration of their expression, values and rights
Works Cited • http://www.aboriginalartonline.com/culture/stolen.php • http://www.creativespirits.info/aboriginalculture/politics/a-guide-to-australias-stolen-generations • http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/History/Australia-history.htm • http://www.cultureunplugged.com/documentary/10824/AUSTRALIA---S-LOST-GENERATION • http://www.aboriginalartonline.com/ • http://www.australiacouncil.gov.au/ • http://culture.arts.gov.au/ • http://arts.gov.au/topics • http://creativeaustralia.arts.gov.au/assets/Creative-Australia-PDF2.pdf