Pathways to becoming a cultural powerhouse: Perspectives for impact in arts, culture and creativity
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Request BriefingThis Analysis Paper shares international perspectives for Australia to consider as we work to cement our place as a global cultural powerhouse in the 21st century. It demonstrates that the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games are a once-in-generation opportunity to shift our global arts and culture standing. The paper draws on three international case studies, South Korea, France and Brazil, and describes the steps these nations took to leverage their hosting of the Games to achieve lasting cultural, social, and economic benefits. These include planning for impact, commitment to sustained policy, integrating cultural reporting, and investing in international cultural relations. The case studies show how Brisbane 2032 can strengthen Australia’s cultural and creative industries and enhance our global cultural reputation.
Key Findings
Cultural powerhouse nations plan, report and evaluate for impact
Brazil, France and South Korea illustrate foundational approaches to arts and culture that ensure commitments translate into tangible actions and impacts. South Korea demonstrates how sustaining cultural policy and investing in cultural relations can open a nation to the world. France’s integration and evaluation of cultural expenditure across portfolios highlight the importance of planning for impact. And Brazil provides strong insights into how planning and policy are essential for sustaining the impacts of arts, cultural and creative activities, including social cohesion impacts, from events like the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Brisbane 2032 can accelerate Australia’s cultural powerhouse journey
Preparations are well underway for Brisbane 2032, set to be the most impactful sports and cultural event for the next generation of Australians. Brisbane 2032 presents an opportunity for Australia to build on current and recent efforts to unlock the benefits of arts and culture.
Australia should examine overseas successes and shortcomings when planning its cultural relations future
Right across Australia’s federal, state and territory jurisdictions, arts and culture policies are in place and continue being developed. This positions Australia well to take the overdue step of better coordinating and pursuing cultural relations opportunities.
Key Opportunities
Opportunity 1
Noting that cultural powerhouse nations plan, report and evaluate for impact
The Commonwealth, in concert with other levels of government, should develop a National Cultural Plan or Strategy, modelled on the successive National Sports Plans and Strategies. This would build the foundation for the Commonwealth’s strategic collaboration with governments, industry, philanthropy and business.
Opportunity 2
Noting Brisbane 2032’s potential to accelerate Australia’s cultural powerhouse journey
Cultural ministers at all levels should form agreements between jurisdictions to pursue and deliver:
- The four-year cultural programme for the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics Games and
- The arts, culture and creativity outcomes outlined in the Brisbane 2032 legacy strategy Elevate 2042, including capacity building in collaboration with other relevant ministers to deliver and evaluate impacts
on social cohesion, wellbeing and social inclusion.
This opportunity should be pursued through a national partnership agreement formalised by a Ministerial Council as part of National Cabinet. This agreement should align with the National Cultural Plan or Strategy
identified above, if also pursued.
Opportunity 3
Noting that Australia should examine overseas successes and shortcomings when planning its cultural relations future and recognising that among the 15 largest world economies, Australia and Canada are the
only countries without a dedicated international cultural relations institution (CRI) (with Canada exploring establishing one)
The Commonwealth should explore options for establishing an Australian international CRI as an initial step. This study should:
- Survey existing Australian cultural relations activities, including their underlying objectives across various
government agencies and arts and culture organisations (including those not government-funded), - Conduct case studies of selected overseas CRIs to identify relevant policy objectives and activities for
Australia and - Recommend two or more models for a CRI that Australia could consider and implement.
Suggested Citation
Hui, A. & Fielding, K., July 2024. “Pathways to becoming a cultural powerhouse: Perspectives for impact in arts, culture and creativity.” Analysis Paper No. 2024–05. Produced by A New Approach (ANA). Canberra, Australia.
Report Design
Aakanksha Sidhu, ANA
Acknowledgement
This report was written by Dr. Alan Hui and Kate Fielding from A New Approach (ANA).
ANA thanks the people who generously reviewed this Analysis Paper for their time and excellent feedback, including Kate Ben-Tovim, Turning World, and Boris Toucas, Cultural Counsellor, Embassy of France to Australia, as well as members of ANA’s Board and Reference Group. However, any errors are our own. If you notice any errors, please get in contact us at the details provided below.
The opinions in this document do not necessarily represent the views of ANA’s funding partners, the individual members involved in the governance or advisory committees or others who have provided input.
Produced by A New Approach (ANA). Canberra, Australia.
© A New Approach (ANA) 2024. This work is copyright. All material published or otherwise created by ANA is licenced under a Creative Commons – Attribution – Non-Commercial 4.0 International Licence.
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