News

A New Cultural Partnership in Regional Australia

The Regional Cultural Alliance

3 December 2003

The Hon John Anderson MP, Deputy Prime Minister today launched an industry led initiative aimed at giving a voice to the arts and cultural sectors in regional Australia.

Five national peak bodies with strong regional commitments have joined forces to establish the Regional Cultural Alliance. They are:

• Museums Australia
• Regional Arts Australia
• Australian Council of National Trusts
• Australian Libraries and Information Association and
• the Federation of Australian Historical Societies

This Alliance represents the national arts and culture peak bodies for regional Australia. The work of the member organisations touches the lives of the vast majority of the more than 6.7 million Australian who live and work in regional, rural and remote Australia.

The Alliance was established to provide national policy options and high level national advice on important issues confronting the arts and cultural sectors across regional Australia to all levels of government and, in particular, the Commonwealth Government.

The Alliance works across Government portfolios including regional development, the arts, culture, communications, heritage and environment. This diverse group believes that by working together we can contribute to the sustainable future of regional, rural and remote communities through their ongoing engagement in arts, cultural development, libraries, museums and heritage organisations and activities.

President of Regional Arts Australia, Mrs Nicola Downer, when introducing the Deputy Prime Minister, said:

"The Regional Cultural Alliance brings together the collective knowledge of the national networks that make up the national peak bodies and we put that expertise to work. In this way we are developing national approaches that can make a difference to the ways that culture can contribute to community life across regional Australia.

"We are committed to supporting the creativity of regional Australians and the empowerment of regional communities to develop and express their identity, diversity and cohesion through cultural activity."

The Regional Cultural Alliance has already provided a National Strategic Framework document 'Cultural Partnerships in Regional Australia - Creating a Common Agenda' which has identified a series of important priorities which are all aimed at further developing regional arts and culture. A summary of the priorities for the future follows.

CONTACT Alan Graham Tel 0402 350 767.

__________

National Strategic Framework

Creating a Common Agenda for the Arts, Library,
Museum, History and Heritage Sectors.

Eight goals for achievement:

1. To establish a strong alliance between the arts and collections sectors for the benefit of regional Australia.

This alliance of the national peak bodies is now working together to strengthen productive relationships for the arts, museums and heritage in regional areas.

2. To provide leadership to improve the recognition of the contribution the arts and cultural sectors make to Australian social and economic life.

It is considered that this alliance will provide stronger and broader leadership, which in turn will improve the recognition and valuing of the contribution made to Australian life.

3. To build a cohesive identity for the cultural sector that encapsulates its diversity, and ensures that the sector is recognised by funding bodies for its contribution to regional Australia.

It is important that the community at large understands the value of the regional cultural sector, that it is a part of everyday life and that it is an industry based around people, their personal identities and their sense of belonging.

4. To encourage diverse cultural activity to support the development of sustainable communities in regional Australia.

We need to support the kind of cultural activity that contributes to community pride and confidence, develops leadership and makes sure that there is suitable cultural infrastructure and resources in place in communities.

5. To ensure access to on-going volunteer training and professional development across regional Australia.

Wherever possible, training and development programs should be delivered regionally to suit the individual communities' employment and development opportunities, meet the needs of volunteers and paid workers and raise the professionalism of the regional cultural sector.

6. To develop a supportive environment in regional Australia for all those engaged in cultural activities.

It is crucial that the cultural environment in regional Australia nurtures and maintains workers for whom culture is their life's work.

7. To create opportunities for regional and rural communities to present their culture to urban Australia, and to bring into these communities diverse cultural activities from other parts of Australia and overseas.

Recognising and valuing the cultural contributions of regional communities to Australian life is vital, at the same time, we need to ensure there are opportunities for regional communities to feel more connected to the wider cultural industry.

8. To strengthen and broaden the range of partnerships and networks that support cultural activities within regional communities.

It is imperative that a broad range of partnerships is developed which build relationships and networks that in turn, support cultural activities within regional communities.