Understanding the value of the creative arts: place-based perspectives from regional Australia

ABSTRACT

This article highlights challenges of attempting to rigorously evaluate and meaningfully communicate the social impacts of arts and culture in regional Australia. By examining how arts and culture are perceived in two geographically opposed communities, this research finds the benefits of arts engagement can be tangible and intangible, and both offer high value to regional communities. More nuanced approaches to impact assessment can help to effectively account for an array of understandings of the value of arts and culture, beyond solely numerical measures, and instead ascribe worth to localized narrative indicators of success. Opportunities exist in increasing attention to place. Sensitivity to place can illuminate how regional communities innovatively leverage creative capacities, address local challenges and create localized impact. This research suggests the value of arts and culture might be best understood at a local level, and that community-led and community-generated creative experiences are those which communities find most impactful.

KEYWORDS:

• Arts engagement
• cultural value
• impact assessment
• creative placemaking
• regional Australia

Acknowledgements

This research is supported by the Australian Research Council (ARC) through the ARC Linkage Project grant scheme (number LP180100477).

Notes

1 Burnie City Council; Performing Arts Connections Australia; Red Ridge Interior Queensland; Regional Australia Institute; Regional Arts Australia; Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications; Remote Area Planning & Development Board (RAPAD).

2 Based on Australian Bureau of Statistics data from the 2016 census.

3 https://burnieartscouncil.com/paper-on-skin/about-the-competition

4 https://www.redridgeinteriorqueensland.com/dress-the-central-west

5 https://www.arts.qld.gov.au/case-studies/dress-the-central-west-telling-the-regions-stories-with-wearable-art

6 https://www.bighart.org/

7 https://vimeo.com/454282363

8 Museum of Old and New Art, based in the state’s capital. https://mona.net.au/

9 https://www.bighart.org/

10 https://www.bighart.org/projects/project-o/

11 https://vimeo.com/454282363

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Australian Research Council: [Grant Number LP180100477].

Notes on contributors

Sasha Mackay

Dr Sasha Mackay is an early career researcher on the Australian Research Council Linkage Project “The Role of the Creative Arts in Regional Australia: A Social Impact Model” at Queensland University of Technology. Dr Mackay’s professional background spans journalism and socially engaged arts in regional Australia, and her research explores the practices and impacts of co-created life storytelling and participatory arts for underserved cohorts and communities.

Helen Klaebe

Professor Helen Klaebe is Pro Vice-Chancellor (Graduate Research and Development) in the Division of Research and Innovation for Queensland University of Technology and is a Chief Investigator on an Australian Research Council grant (2019–22) investigating the social impact of the arts in Australian regional communities. For two decades Klaebe has led research in participatory public history and social engagement using multi art form storytelling strategies to engage communities and also to evaluate the economic, cultural and audience impact of public art programmes.

Donna Hancox

Dr Donna Hancox is an Associate Professor in the Creative Industries Faculty at Queensland University of Technology. She is the co-leader of the Creative Placemaking for Social Impact Research Group and a Chief Investigator Australian Research Council three-year grant investigating the social impact of the arts in Australian regional communities. Donna is an international leader in the field of creative community engagement and storytelling for social change. In 2017 she was awarded a Smithsonian Research Fellowship and her book The Evolution of Transmedia Storytelling through Place is published by Routledge in 2020.

Sandra Gattenhof

Dr Sandra Gattenhof is a Professor and Director of Research Training in the Creative Industries Faculty, Queensland University of Technology. Sandra’s research engagements have established her as a leader in the in the field of arts and cultural evaluation as evidenced by commercial research contracts and the publication of, Measuring Impact: Positioning Evaluation in the Australian Arts and Culture Landscape (2017 Palgrave). Sandra is the chief investigator of Australian Research Council three year grant investigating the social impact of the arts in Australian regional communities. Sandra is a Drama Queensland Life Member awarded for Longstanding Contribution to the Drama Community.