Neither the Labor Government nor the Coalition understands that cultural heritage is an essential part of arts and culture.
When the Coalition announced its arts policy in August – cultural heritage was not there. When George Brandis was asked about his commitment to cultural heritage in Western Sydney last week, he was very clear – it is a matter for my environment colleagues. Nothing to do with the arts.
Even Creative Australia – the government’s own Arts policy – is surprisingly silent on the topic of cultural heritage, focusing more on performance and innovation.
Yet our cultural heritage defines who we are. The places where we live, work and play are defined by their history; our memories, traditions and stories shape us as a nation. Our museums from the smallest local volunteer run, to our flagship national cultural institutions, celebrate who we are and where we have come from.
In the UK the Heritage Lottery Fund has just launched its new strategic framework that celebrates just what can be achieved by recognising and supporting heritage, rather than brushing it under the table as an embarrassing after thought that stops progress.
It shows how heritage can make a lasting difference to people, as well as places. It talks about skills and regeneration, creativity and how thousands of buildings and places have been transformed, and how communities have been inspired to record and celebrate their stories. A conservative government has just increased the percentage of funding for good causes that goes to heritage.
Heritage is the poor cousin, forever falling into that gap between arts and environment and planning. Yet at the WSROC event last week we saw cultural heritage in action, with a stunning exhibition at the Blacktown Arts Centre of powerful images and works emerging from the experience and story of the native institution.
Knowing who you are and where you have come from is the wellspring for creativity. It is good for people, places and for the environment. Come on Canberra – do your bit!
(Pictured:A work from Blacktown’s Native Exhibition combines art and heritage.)
