Belong, Trust, Connect: Policy opportunities for social cohesion through arts and culture 

Untapped potential to rebuild cohesion 

Finding 1: Cultural policies do not consistently pursue cohesion

Only some governments explicitly pursue cohesion through cultural policy.

Finding 2: Only some policies pursuing cohesion leverage arts and culture

Many policies designed to deliver cohesion fail to tap into arts and culture. Missed opportunities span various policy areas – from tackling extremism and safeguarding a secure society
to building inclusive communities.

Finding 3: There’s more scope for arts and culture to support cohesion among young people

Research shows that younger adults have a low sense of cohesion. Fortunately, there is an opportunity to leverage their strong engagement with arts and culture to foster cohesion.

Opportunities to live well together 

Noting Finding 1 that ‘cultural policies do not consistently pursue cohesion’

• Government agencies developing cultural policy should make cohesion an explicit objective and ensure that actions and evaluations are targeted at cohesion to secure an ongoing contribution from arts
  and culture.
• Government agencies supporting cultural and creative engagement should prioritise investment in initiatives that connect communities and foster belonging and trust.
• The National Cabinet should establish a Ministerial Council of Cultural Ministers, reporting annually to the National Cabinet, with a seat for a representative of Australian local governments.

Noting Finding 2 that ‘only some policies pursuing cohesion leverage arts and culture’

• The House Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs should conduct an inquiry into social cohesion in Australia.
• The Department of Home Affairs should update the guidelines for the Strong and Resilient Communities Activity – Inclusive Communities grant program to include the breadth of cultural and creative activities contributing to cohesion.
• Governments should bolster cohesion through the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic four-year cultural programme starting in 2028.
• Governments should include cohesion as a key outcome in wellbeing frameworks and use cultural and creative engagement as an indicator of cohesion.
• Democratic institutions should partner with cultural institutions – including galleries, libraries and museums – to reverse declining trust in institutions through cultural and creative activities.
• The Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs should lead a 2025 APS200 discussion on the next steps to strengthen democracy, including through cultural institutions.
• The National Cabinet should task the First Secretaries Group with a project on rebuilding social cohesion. The group should report back by the end of 2025 on priority opportunities, including leveraging public
  investment and partnerships in cultural and creative activities.

Noting Finding 3 that ‘there’s more scope for arts and culture to support cohesion among young people’

• Agencies pursuing cohesion among young people should fund further cultural and creative engagement to strengthen cohesion in young people.
• At the third roundtable of the 2023–33 Investment Dialogue on Australia’s Children, philanthropic organisations, governments and for-purpose organisations should discuss public–philanthropic opportunities in cultural and creative projects to strengthen cohesion for disadvantaged young Australians.
• The Department of Social Services should seek information about the impacts of cultural and creative engagement on community connection as part of the monitoring and evaluation of the First Action Plan
  2023–26 under the Safe and Supported framework for protecting Australia’s children.

What the research shows 

Cultural and creative activities help build community, belonging and trust while enhancing empathy and inclusion. These activities also help combat loneliness and isolation, support individuals and communities in recovering from disasters and trauma, and make cities, suburbs and regions more liveable.

ANA has identified that arts, culture and creativity contribute to cohesion in two distinct ways:

1. Connecting communities.
2. Fostering belonging and trust.

Read more in ANA’s Insight Report, Transformative Edge 2024.