Art Smarts January 2012
Welcome to the January issue of Art Smarts
Several items in this month's issue reflect a growing interest in cultural indicator studies and the measurement of cultural impacts. This interest is to be welcomed, but as some of the reports this month indicate there is no settled view as to what these measures should be... Read more
We also profile new research and resources for funding and policy making, management and marketing and research and academia. I hope you find this useful.
Nick HerdDirector
Research and Strategic Analysis
Top reading
Arts experts discuss the challenge of measuring arts and cultureTranscripts from the International Federation of Arts Councils and Cultural Agencies - December 2011
IFACCA has released session summaries and transcripts from the 5th World Summit on Arts and Culture, held in Melbourne in October 2011, including 'Finally - the numbers' in which Prof. David Throsby and Audrey Yue discuss some of the problems, such as measuring cultural value and applying international comparisons in the face of divergent methodologies. Prof. Brad Haseman's wrap-up provides an overview of the ideas explored at the conference, and a video brings the cultural program to life.
Opinion piece from The Guardian - December 2011
This article contends that the arts must embrace the kinds of measurement techniques that are used in other parts of the economy to inform policy discussion and decisions. The author argues that use of unique language in the arts may limit the sector's ability to engage with other Departments - and advocate for funding.
Upcoming conference organised by the Cultural Development Network - May 2012
Many of these issues will be addressed at the forthcoming conference 'Making Culture Count' in Melbourne on 3-4 May. This will be an opportunity to participate in a critical dialogue on measurement by national and international experts on what is one of the central issues for research in arts and cultural policy.
Skip to more top reading:
Funding and policy making - Management and marketing - Research and academia
Funding and policy making
Three opinion pieces discuss the impact of public funding on artistic vibrancyTranscript of the The Philip Parsons Memorial Lecture given by Katharine Brisbane AM - December 2011
In this insightful speech, Brisbane argues that whilst security and insularity in the arts sector can enable the pursuit of new levels of excellence, it can be at the expense of a broader vibrancy. She questions whether a focus on artistic excellence has meant insufficient attention has been paid in developing audiences - and asks whether government support has removed these organisations further and further from the democratic heart of Australian culture.
Essay from David Edgar published in The Guardian - January 2012
In the article 'Why should we fund the arts?', the author explores the arguments for public funding of the arts in Britain, dating back to the 1950s. It also notes the impact of funding decisions on the ability for the arts to play an important role in society. In light of a 30% cut to Arts Council England's budget, the author describes the current plight of publicly funded arts institutions, who are under pressure to demonstrate greater social value and impact in an increasingly challenging funding environment.
Paper from Holly Sidford and the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy via Mission Models Money - October 2011
In this piece 'Fusing arts, culture and social change: High impact strategies for philanthropy' the author argues that current arts grantmaking disregards large segments of cultural practice, and by doing so disregards large segments of our society. She presents the humanistic, demographic, aesthetic and economic reasons for foundations funding the arts to allocate more of their resources to directly benefit disadvantaged communities.
Arts now part of Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport
Media release from the Hon Julia Gillard MP - December 2011
As a part of the Prime Minister's changes to the Ministry and the Cabinet, responsibility for the arts has been transferred from Prime Minister and Cabinet to to Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport. The Hon. Simon Crean MP continues in his role as Minister for the Arts.
Minister Crean announces review of the Australia Council
Media release from the Hon Simon Crean MP - December 2011
Arts Minister Simon Crean has announced an independent review of the Australia Council for the Arts ahead of the development of the new National Cultural Policy. The Government stated 'In line with the broader conversation about Australia's future cultural policy, we have an opportunity to look closely at what aspects of the current model can be improved.'
New arts index launched in the UK
News from The Guardian - December 2011
A new Arts Index launched in the UK will provide an annual health check on the arts. The index measures a range of indicators on the state of the sector, from financial investment to audience numbers. The 2010 index showed significant declines in business contributions to the arts, declining employment in the arts and static attendance - although there was considerable variation across different regions.
The Convergence Review Committee releases its interim report
Report published by the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy - December 2011
The Convergence Review Committee has released its Interim Report setting out a vision for fundamental change to the regulatory framework of Australia's digital economy, including the suggestion that digital media operators should face the same regulatory framework as traditional media outlets. The reform agenda points to a new 'super-regulator', local content quotas, and the use of a 'public interest test' for media company takeovers.
Industry responses to the interim report - December 2011 and January 2012
Responses to date from industry are divided, with Telstra, AIMIA and the Communications Alliance expressing concern over the prospect of new regulation and impediments to innovation. Others have declared broad support, including the Australian Writers Guild, ASTRA, Actors Equity Australia, and the Screen Producers Association of Australia. Comments on the report are due 10 February and the final report is expected March 2012.
Opinion and commentary on the interim report - December 2011
Review opinion and commentary on the interim report via The Australian, Crikey, The Drum and The Conversation.
Management and marketing
Connecting:// arts audiences online research videosVodcasts from the Australia Council for the Arts - December 2011
If you missed the #connectarts research events in 2011, we have posted videos of Connecting:// Melbourne on vimeo. The research briefing identifies seven key opportunities for arts organisations to improve online engagement with audiences. In the industry forum, arts marketing professionals from the Australia Council. West Space and The Australian Ballet share ideas about the ingredients for successful online engagement strategies.
Theatre commentators question the merit of 'tweetseats'
Opinion from the New York Times - January 2012
Opinion piece about the rise of 'tweetseats' in the US. The author questions whether facilitating tweeting in the theatre is enhancing audience experiences, or just making 'the time go faster for those who barely tolerate the arts'.
Change management in arts organisations
Tips from Margaret Hansford via artsHub - January 2012
Advice from a change management expert about how to approach change processes in arts organisations. Her tips include clarifying objectives and desired outcomes, involving all those affected, and drawing on independent advice.
Internships in the arts - A guide for arts organisations
Guide from the Arts Council England and Creative & Cultural Skills - November 2011
The guide offers advice on how to develop high-quality and mutually beneficial employment opportunities, and sets out the obligations on arts and cultural organisations offering internships to promote fairness.
The role of the board of an arts organisation
Article by Fiona Mackrell on arts hub - December 2011
An article on the roles and responsibilities of a board of an arts organisation. It covers the key responsibilities of members and outlines some factors for consideration when selecting a new board member, including fiduciary duty, diversity, expectations and communications.
Indig-curious: Who can play Aboriginal roles?
Essay from Jane Harrison in the latest Platform Papers - January 2012
This essay explores involvement of non-Aboriginal people in the telling of Aboriginal stories. The author explores what causes offence in the Aboriginal community, defining Aboriginal themes, and other issues in ownership and expression of Aboriginal messages.
Ethical and moral dilemmas in the visual arts sector
Commentary by Tamara Winikoff via artsHub Australia - December 2011
Tamara Winikoff of NAVA discusses some of the ethical and moral issues in the visual arts - including privacy versus freedom of expression, representations of children, copyright and Indigenous heritage in art.
Research and academia
Research taskforce into arts outcomes in the USAAnnouncement by the National Endowment for the Arts - November 2011
The NEA is leading a new task force of 13 federal agencies and departments to encourage more and better research on how the arts help people reach their full potential at all stages of life. They have released a white paper and framework for the long-term collaboration to build capacity for future research and evidence-sharing about the arts’ role in human development.
The Creative Industries, Culture and Policy
Book by Terry Flew from the CCI - December 2011
A new book from Terry Flew at the CCI explores the dynamics of cultural markets, creative labor, finance and risk, and how culture is distributed, marketed and creatively reused through new media technologies. It also presents useful case studies for the benefit of researchers, policy makers and students.
Music and Healthcare
Research from WolfBrown and the Weill Music Institute of Carnegie Hall - August 2011
If you missed it, WolfBrown recently released a paper on music and health. It covers the impact of music on people's lives, examines the interaction between music and the brain, and describes the role that music can play in healthcare interventions. The authors also outline some key opportunities for music in healthcare and areas for further exploration and research.
International Recording Industry Numbers 2011
Statistics and research from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry
IFPI's Recording Industry in Numbers provides a comprehensive picture of the key trends of today's music business. It provides authoritative data and analysis about the recorded music market globally for music companies, analysts, investors, commentators, and academics.
Demand for digital research and development funding by UK arts and culture organisations
Research from NESTA authors Hasan Bahkshi and Angela Pugh - December 2011
This analysis of funding applications to the 'Digital R&D Fund for Arts and Culture' finds that there is a high demand for digital research and development in the arts and cultural sector. The paper explores the nature of the demand by reporting some descriptive analysis of applications to the fund, which aims to connect arts and cultural organisations with technology companies in a way that can benefit the wider sector.
From the Director of Research
Welcome to this month’s issue of Art Smarts.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics is currently considering how to update its suite of indicators called Measures of Australia’s Progress (MAP 2.0). The ABS consulted widely in 2011, including receiving submissions from the Statistics Working Group (SWG), so that when the results of the consultation are available later in the year for the first time MAP will include indicators of cultural progress. The SWG drew to the attention of the ABS the work it had already done in the development of cultural indicators, published in 2010 as Vital Signs: Cultural Indicators for Australia.This reflects what is a growing interest in cultural indicator studies and the measurement of cultural impacts. This interest is to be welcomed, but as some of the reports this month indicate there is no settled view as to what these measures should be.
In a session at the IFACCA World Summit 'Finally - the numbers', David Throsby and Audrey Yue indicated some of the problems, such as measuring cultural value and applying international comparisons in the face of divergent methodologies. Throsby argued the cultural sector faces a challenge to come up with better measures of the benefits of the arts. Yue reported on some of the work she has been involved in at Melbourne University in developing ideas of cultural citizenship as a potential approach to measurement.
Dave O’Brien in the The Guardian argues the arts cannot resort to the argument that they are different. Stemming from the work he did in this area for the UK Department of Culture Media and Sport he argues the arts must embrace the kinds of measurement techniques that are used in other parts of the economy to inform policy discussion and decisions. If this means using economics to value the arts then ways must be found to do this.
Nick Herd
Director
Research and Strategic Analysis
We welcome your feedback, so please contact us at research@australiacouncil.gov.au