Showcasing creativity: programming and presenting first nations performing arts

• Main Author: Australian Council for the Arts
• Format: Report
• Language: unknown
• Published: Australian Council for the Arts 2016
• Subjects: Aboriginal Australians; Indigenous peoples; Arts and society; Performing arts; Government aid to the arts; Artists; First Nations
• Online Access: http://apo.org.au/node/67199

First Nations performing arts are unique, contemporary and diverse expressions of the world’s longest continuously living cultures. They embody a proud tradition of telling stories to connect generations and communities. The Australia Council’s national Arts Participation Survey found that nine in ten Australians (92%) believe that First Nations arts are an important part of Australia’s culture, and 64% have a strong or growing interest in First Nations arts. Yet only one in four (24%) attend, and less than half (46%) agree that First Nations arts are well represented in Australia. These findings highlight an opportunity to further develop audiences for First Nations arts in Australia, including through ensuring that Australians have access to a variety of high quality First Nations arts experiences. Showcasing Creativity is the latest study in a series commissioned by the Australia Council for the Arts with the aim of supporting the sector to close the gap between interest and attendance; thereby connecting more Australians to First Nations arts experiences and increasing opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists.