Keen to influence the future of arts, culture and creativity in South Australia? Now is your chance. The state government is currently inviting input from South Aussies as it develops a landmark new policy for the sector. So if you’ve got a big idea for our arts industry, it’s time to spill.
A new vision for SA
The state government has started work to develop a new policy for South Australia, setting out a bold long-term vision for our state’s arts, culture and creative sector. The policy will build on our state’s existing strengths and provide a roadmap for arts sector growth and future government initiatives.
Scheduled for release in mid-2024, the policy will pave the way to explore new legislation recognising the value of arts, culture and creativity in South Australia. The first phase of shaping the new policy is consultation with the sector and wider SA community – which means it’s time to speak up about how you want SA’s future arts, culture and creative sector to look.
Why this matters
South Australia has a rich history in this area, rooted in the continuous culture of First Nations peoples and propelled by visionaries like former Premier Don Dunstan. This new policy aims to build on that foundation, contributing to South Australia’s identity, liveability and prosperity, as well as helping to nurture a mature and evolved national and international arts, culture and creative sector.
The sector includes screen, music, dance, theatre, visual arts, craft, design, fashion, games, libraries, museums, galleries, literature and much more. South Australia is home to more than 10,000 creative businesses employing more than 15,000 people and contributing more than $1.8 billion to the state’s economy.
How the arts affect you
Our arts, culture and creative industries are about much more than money – it’s the essence of who we are as a state. It is where diverse communities connect, where our mental health gets a boost, and where we share our unique stories with the world. Creativity isn’t just a buzzword; it’s the key to solving problems and driving innovation across all industries, and it underpins all levels of our education.
Ultimately, it’s a part of our daily lives that brings us joy, makes us think and connects us with other people. Even if you’ve never been to opening night at the opera, you’ve likely engaged with local arts and culture recently through watching TV, streaming music, listening to a podcast or even buying a new outfit. You’d be surprised how much of the content we consume and the designs we buy have a South Australian connection!
A 2022 study shows that:
- 96 per cent of South Australians engage with the arts.
- 83 per cent acknowledge the significant positive impact the arts have on their lives.
- 70 per cent believe arts and culture make for a richer, more meaningful life.
- 60 per cent experience the arts as improving their sense of wellbeing and happiness.
The questions being asked
To get the conversation started, the state government has written the Creating for the Future discussion paper posing some key questions it needs answered to create its new policy. The invitation is now out for all SA’s artists, creative businesses, organisations, education providers and arts lovers to contribute insights to inform the policy.
The discussion paper asks:
- What do you most value about the arts, culture and creative sector in South Australia?
- What are the strengths and characteristics that are unique to South Australia’s arts, culture and creative sector?
- What role do we want the arts, culture and creative sector in South Australia to play in a national and international context?
- Where can we use our strengths, history, size and scale to our advantage?
- What aspects of arts, culture and creativity could only happen here?
- What is your one big idea?
How to get involved
Everyone is invited to answer these questions and have their say via an online survey or submissions until 31 January. A series of workshops for those currently working in the arts and cultural sector will be held in February, by invitation. An online town hall meeting will also be held in February to share what the government has learned through consultation with the sector. After that, all the data and feedback will be evaluated, reviewed, and ultimately used to shape the new state cultural policy. The Creating for the Future policy is set to be launched in mid-2024.
Have your say today by:
- Taking the three-minute survey.
- Making an online submission in response to the discussion paper questions.
Find more information and download the discussion paper here.
