A research paper has examined issues faced by culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) artists and how opportunities can be developed to support multicultural arts throughout Western Australia.
Citizenship and Multicultural Interests Minister John Castrilli and Culture and the Arts Minister John Day today announced the public release of the report 'Western Australia Intercultural Arts Research Project'.
This report highlights the need to support artists from CaLD backgrounds in the development and presentation of their work.
Mr Castrilli said the multicultural arts sector was a rich source of creativity and the report provided a catalyst to raise the profile of artists from diverse backgrounds and consideration of appropriate funding and support.
"Multicultural arts offer WA an abundance of opportunities in areas such as cultural exchange, trade, tourism, education, community development and innovation," he said.
Mr Castrilli said that despite challenges of migration to a new country, limited work opportunities in the arts, language barriers and cultural differences, a quarter of CaLD artists surveyed in the study had their art work exhibited or presented in public.
"A key recommendation of the report is the development of a specific policy, together with program intervention, to address the needs of artists from CaLD backgrounds," he said.
Mr Day said the Department of Culture and the Arts was working closely with the Office of Multicultural Interests to promote the Liberal-National Government's commitment to multicultural arts in the State.
"Through the establishment of the Intercultural Arts Working Party, the agencies are sharing knowledge and information in order to better assist multicultural artists and their work," Mr Day said.
"Many of the issues highlighted in the report have been previously identified by the Department of Culture and the Arts and resonate with concerns raised from arts and cultural sector consultation undertaken by the department as part of its recent policy development process.
"Through the State Government's Substantive Equality framework, strategies will be implemented to ensure all artists, regardless of background, will have equitable access to programs and services."
The research was commissioned by the Office of Multicultural Interests and undertaken by Deakin University. The report can be found on http://omi.wa.gov.au or phone 9217 1600.
Citizenship and Multicultural Interests Minister's office: 9213 6800
Culture and the Arts Minister's office: 9213 6600
