1. A USTRALIAN C ULTURAL P OLICY : Integrating Indigenous Cultures and Defining a National Identity By: Summer Hornsby SIS 645 June 23, 2013

2. H ISTORY AND C ONTEXT 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

3. T HE L OST G ENERATION 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

4. A BORIGINAL C ULTURE 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

5. A N EW C ULTURAL P OLICY 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

6. C REATIVE A USTRALIA : K EY P OINTS 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

7. N EW F RAMEWORK, N EW G OALS 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

8. M EASURABLE S UCCESS 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

9. W HY 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

10. W ORKS C ITED 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