The Development of a National Cultural Policy

Submission to the Minister for the Arts

Richard Letts
January 18, 2010

The Minister for the Arts, Peter Garrett, issued an open invitation for submissions to assist in the development of a national cultural policy. This is the MCA’s response.

This is the table of contents in an abbreviated version:

1. A Definition of ‘Culture’ Is Necessary.
2. An Ethical Basis in Human and Cultural Rights.
3. The Australian Context for Cultural Policy.
4. Role of Government with Regard to Culture.
5. Possible Government Policy Considerations.
   • Achieve excellence.
   • Achieve artistic innovation.
   • Encourage innovation AND sustain the cultural heritage.
   • Achieve equality of access to participation.
   • Achieve equality of access to an effective arts education.
   • Encourage successful participation by youth.
   • Sustain and develop cultural diversity.
   • Sustain and develop Indigenous Australian art and artists.
   • Sustain and develop a diversity of languages and the ability to use them.
   • Provide adequate financial and regulatory support.
   • Foster financial self-reliance in the arts sector.
   • Develop cultural infrastructure.
   • Provide information that supports cultural development.
   • Project Australian culture internationally.
6. Closing statement.
7. Appendix 1: The Whole of Government: Commonwealth Ministries and Their Relevance to the Music Sector.
8. Appendix 2:A Very Short History of Australian Government Intervention in the Arts.
9. Appendix 3:Cultural Policy Statements from Other Countries.
10. Appendix 4: A Message from Arts Minister Peter Garrett–National Cultural Policy,a national dialogue.
11. Discussion Framework–Towards a National Cultural Policy.

Read the submission