Art and Culture in Australia - Research Paper Example

Name: Instructor: Course: Date: Research paper on issues affecting Australia’sarts community in terms of diversity Introduction Art and culture in Australia is a good reflection of both traditional and contemporary societies dating back to Aboriginal Islanders. Australia’s art foundation comes from the Aboriginal traditional culture. Modern art and culture in Australia derives most of its inspiration from the Aboriginals, the Anglo-Celtic and the different migrant cultures(Atkinson, p. 67). The National Park on Fire painting by Tie Hua Huang an artist in Sydney is a great example of the manner in which artists from different backgrounds enrich arts and culture in Australia. Nevertheless, there is a problem in that there is no cultural diversity as expected.Notwithstanding the fact that the Australian government has a multicultural policy, there have been incidences of racial segregation in the arts and cultural industries(Caust, p. 169). Lack of diversity means that Australia is losing on a lot. The arts community in Australia therefore should put more effort in order to embrace cultural diversity. This paper therefore looks into the different challenges Australia is facing through lack of diversity and the benefits of cultural diversity in the arts and culture field.Since media is in the arts and culture category, will base most of my information on the media. I will conduct my own research through facts, past research done as well as information from my host organization, Prime Media Group. Company background Prime Media Group main location is Watson, Canberra and there is a secondary office at Pyrmont, Sydney. It is an Australian media corporation and its main source of revenue comes from advertisements. It started in 1970 where Paul Ramsay took control in 1985 naming it Ramcorp Limited. Today it makes more than $30 million in profits. This goes to show that the arts and culture industry benefits the economy greatly(Prime Media Group, p. 1). The media group reaches to more than 5.1 million people and is now one of the leading television networks in Australia. Prime is a major employer of many regional offices in Australia that expand from the Gold Coast going through numerous major towns and cities in Victoria and regional NSW. Literature review According to a recent survey of Australian artists, in comparison to 16percent of the entire population, only 8 percent of professional artists in Australia come from a background that does not speak English. Australia is also facing diversity fatigue ever since it officially became a part of the UNESCO convention signatory in 2009; its efforts to engage in diversity have gone on for a much longer period(Caust, p. 170). The convention revolves around promoting and protecting diversity of cultural expressions. In Australia, the issue of gender is more researched compared to that of age or race. As I conducted my literature review, I came across only one main study that examines cultural diversity in the arts and culture field. Artists who come from a different cultural background than that of Australia earn 40 percent less that the Australian originals. Australia needs to become a cosmopolitan society that embraces diversity and not a multicultural society that does not regard other cultures. People from other cultures bring with them many new possibilities (Caust, p. 176). Methodology- Qualitative method The main objective of this study is to identify what people in the media as well as the general population thinks about the question of whether there is cultural diversity in the arts and cultural industries. In order to do a thorough research I came up with twenty open ended questions in my questionnaires that I gave to some of the Prime Media group employees for instance the producer, content specialist, programming assistant and the junior sub editor. I also went into the streets and interviewed people about the television content to get their opinion on whether they thought the media in Australia took into consideration cultural diversity. The questionnaires that I gave to the Prime media group employees were somehow different to the ones I gave people on the streets. The reason being, I wanted to know whether the media personalities shared the same opinion as the people with regard to the issue of lack of diversity in the arts and cultural industries of Australia. I also asked the people to give their views on, how, the situation will be improved to have a balance in diversity in the arts and culture industries. In the questionnaires, I gave the interviewees room to explain their opinions fully without being biased. This enabled them to elaborate their views entirelywithout feeling restricted. I interviewedeight employees from the Prime media group company, while in the streets I interviewed 50 people randomly. I gave out the questionnaires and gave each of them enough time to answer them. The challenges I anticipated was one; I did not know whether the people I interviewed would take enough time to read the questions and answer them keenly due to their hectic schedules. I also did not know whether they would identify with the topic or whether they understood my questions. Therefore, to avoid this, I ensured each of my interviewee had ample time to spare to answer my questions. I asked them beforehand if they could be able to spare a few minutes to give me feedback on my research.Secondly, I gave them room to ask questions where they did not understand what the questionnaire was asking. Results From the qualitative research, I came to learn that 70 percent believed that there was minimal diversity in the arts and cultural industries. Thirty percent who were mainly the staff from the Prime Media Group seemed to have a different opinion. The 80 percent stated that judging from the media content, most of the programs had a majority white cast if not all. Somepeoplestated that the media was doing little or nothing at all to ensure people from different races featured in many media programs. In addition to this, theystated that the Australian media worked hard to ensure that people of color “visibly different” as they are so called by the Canadians were nowhere in the media. Many people said that most of the programs they watched had a majority of white original Australians, which showed lack of diversity.On the other hand, the other thirty percent stated that the media was doing all it could to bring a much more diverse group in the media front. Theyconcluded that the media only portrays what goes on in the society. Peoplefromother cultures and especiallypeople of color are brought out as caricatures or as sound voiceovers in advertisements. I also found out that most of the high ranking employees and especially the board of directors at Prime Media Group are primarily white Australia’s which shows that there is lack of diversity in this particular workplace. The media has a key role in ensuring people embrace multiculturalism; when people see that this is not the case, the question as to whether the media is really doing its part comes into mind. Discussion Screens in Australia should reflect the Australian cultural diversity. ABC, which is Australia’s national funded broadcaster, has to fulfil its Charter roles by making sure its productions feature performers who come from all groups in each type of role in order for the Australian community to come out realistically on screen. There has to be elimination of discrimination against performers whether due to their sex, national origin, creed, color, race or disability(Yeoman, p. 34). Even though the Alliance has non-discrimination references in the Code of Practice, ABC needs to come up with more practical and direct policies which includes; Equal opportunity in casting rules, introduction of a directory for screen talent that helps producers cast much better. Regardless of their background, artists of all types have to work extremely hard to get their work recognized. Nevertheless, for artists who come from non-English speaking backgrounds, it is a much difficult task for them since many at times their work is not understood and it is even rejected or sidelined just because they are different. Even though the government came up with the Australia Council for the Arts in order to handle these issues, there is still a lot of work to be doneto achieve a maturityin comprehending what arts in a multicultural Australia exactly means(Atkinson, p. 72) Effects of lack of diversity The fact that Prime Media Group is a big media company in Australia means that it has quite a big say when it comes to matters pertaining arts and cultural diversity in Australia. Research shows that people who hail from different backgrounds have a hard time getting ahead especially in the Australian entertainment and media industry. Reports indicate that Australia’s media through lack of diversity is jeopardizing its future growth. There have been many criticisms regarding the lack of diversity particularly this year in the Oscar nominations. Australia should also look into finding out how it is fairing in this issue. Just like America, Australia is an ethic diverse country full of immigration waves. Nevertheless, it is a sad affair where film and television in Australia suffers the “whitewash” effect: cultural representations in programs is quite limited. People in senior ranks in either parliament, professions, government or companies are mainly white (Yeoman, p. 25). A rational explanation for the diversity challenge in Australia does not exist. For example, quite a big number of Asian students graduate from Australian universities with outstanding grades coupled with a cultural diversity of the Australian fast growing market. Nevertheless,according to a report by the Diversity Council, of the 10 percent Asia-born workforce it is only 5 percent that go up to the senior executive level. Looking at Australian TV it is easy to point out that the casts are all white. Thisis not right especially since Australia boasts to be a multicultural nation where out of five people one speaks in a different language from English and one in every four is a migrant.Media in Australia today is about knowing quite a number of people in high ranks in order to get a job. Very few people are willing to discover new talent especially from diverse backgrounds. Benefits of diversity in the Australian arts and cultural industries Despite the fact that some people argue that upholding linguistic and cultural diversity in theatre can bring many risks, numerous benefits come from it. Having numerous social and cultural groups enhances the cultural experienceof living in a society with diverse cultures. Having different voices makes a better inclusive culture, where people voice out their different views on different topics or challenges (Ng, Eddy & Isabel, p. 258). Through this, there is generation of new and fresh ideas thus leading to the success of arts and cultural industries. People from different cultures think differently and hence can be able to analyze a situation from diverse perspectives. People from different cultures usually have different experiences and this is beneficial to the arts and cultural industry. The Australian economy benefits greatly from cultural diversity with over $50 billion with a Gross Value Added (GVA) of $35 billion. For the arts and culture, business to thrive there has to be an infrastructure like performing art centers, art galleries, industry association networks and presenters(McPhee, p.1). Through cultural diversity in the arts and culture department, Australia benefits in that it is able to tap into new markets especially online. Reason being, this industry’s approach, perspective, creation of innovative ideas and many more become a possibility. Cultural synergy is accomplished where there is placement of value of other cultures without necessarily losing self-culture (Ng, Eddy & Isabel, p. 258).By appreciating and embracing other cultures Australia will benefit from having a workforce that has diverse and new ideas that it will implement in the arts and cultural industries to enrich its culture. Conclusion Australia should consider making more effort in embracing diversity in the arts and cultural industries since it does not only benefit the industry but also the economy at large. It should live up to its name of being a multicultural society(Ng, Eddy & Isabel, p. 256). The contemporary society agrees that both innovation and creativity are steering the economy, which offers a more stable future. Arts and Culture are increasingly making way into the market thus resulting to radical transformations in the manner people create, consume, and appreciate cultural products. Cultural diversity is important in the Australian economy since it brings in more than $50 billion dollars.The Australian society is slowly accepting multiculturalism thus opening up a rich diversity from the contributions of the numerous ethnic groups. TheAustralian CouncilAct 2013 needs to enforce more policies and strategies that will ensure art and culture of people from different backgrounds is appreciated(Yates, p.3). Similarly, in the media, there is a need to incorporate people from different ethnic groups, to ensure representation of the many cultures. A multicultural society brings in many benefits to the society as opposed to negatives. It also shows a united front whereby people of all ethnic groups and walks of life come together to benefit the country at large. The arts and culture industry grows tremendously from multiculturalism as there is introduction and implementation of new and improved ideas. Work Cited Atkinson, Rowland, and Hazel Easthope. "The consequences of the creative class: the pursuit of creativity strategies in Australia's cities." International Journal of Urban and Regional Research 33.1 (2009): 64-79. Caust, Josephine. "Cultural wars in an Australian context: challenges in developing a national cultural policy." International journal of cultural policy 21.2 (2015): 168-182. McPhee, Hilary. Cultural Identity in the Arts. 2016. retrieved on 31st October 2016 from https://www.dss.gov.au/our-responsibilities/settlement-and-multicultural-affairs/programs-policy/a-multicultural-australia/programs-and-publications/1995-global-cultural-diversity-conference-proceedings-sydney/culture-education-and-language/cultural-identity-in-the-arts Ng, Eddy S., and Isabel Metz. "Multiculturalism as a strategy for national competitiveness: The case for Canada and Australia." Journal of Business Ethics 128.2 (2015): 253-266. Yates, Lyn, Cherry W. Collins, and Kate O'Connor. Australia's Curriculum Dilemmas: State Cultures and the Big Issues. Carlton, Vic: Melbourne University Publishing, 2011. Print. Yeoman, Ian. Festival and events management: An international arts and culture perspective. Routledge, 2004. Prime Media Group. About Us: Company profile. 2016.Retrieved on 31st October 2016 from http://www.primemedia.com.au/about-us Read More

In order to do a thorough research I came up with twenty open ended questions in my questionnaires that I gave to some of the Prime Media group employees for instance the producer, content specialist, programming assistant and the junior sub editor. I also went into the streets and interviewed people about the television content to get their opinion on whether they thought the media in Australia took into consideration cultural diversity. The questionnaires that I gave to the Prime media group employees were somehow different to the ones I gave people on the streets.

The reason being, I wanted to know whether the media personalities shared the same opinion as the people with regard to the issue of lack of diversity in the arts and cultural industries of Australia. I also asked the people to give their views on, how, the situation will be improved to have a balance in diversity in the arts and culture industries. In the questionnaires, I gave the interviewees room to explain their opinions fully without being biased. This enabled them to elaborate their views entirelywithout feeling restricted.

I interviewedeight employees from the Prime media group company, while in the streets I interviewed 50 people randomly. I gave out the questionnaires and gave each of them enough time to answer them. The challenges I anticipated was one; I did not know whether the people I interviewed would take enough time to read the questions and answer them keenly due to their hectic schedules. I also did not know whether they would identify with the topic or whether they understood my questions. Therefore, to avoid this, I ensured each of my interviewee had ample time to spare to answer my questions.

I asked them beforehand if they could be able to spare a few minutes to give me feedback on my research.Secondly, I gave them room to ask questions where they did not understand what the questionnaire was asking. Results From the qualitative research, I came to learn that 70 percent believed that there was minimal diversity in the arts and cultural industries. Thirty percent who were mainly the staff from the Prime Media Group seemed to have a different opinion. The 80 percent stated that judging from the media content, most of the programs had a majority white cast if not all.

Somepeoplestated that the media was doing little or nothing at all to ensure people from different races featured in many media programs. In addition to this, theystated that the Australian media worked hard to ensure that people of color “visibly different” as they are so called by the Canadians were nowhere in the media. Many people said that most of the programs they watched had a majority of white original Australians, which showed lack of diversity.On the other hand, the other thirty percent stated that the media was doing all it could to bring a much more diverse group in the media front.

Theyconcluded that the media only portrays what goes on in the society. Peoplefromother cultures and especiallypeople of color are brought out as caricatures or as sound voiceovers in advertisements. I also found out that most of the high ranking employees and especially the board of directors at Prime Media Group are primarily white Australia’s which shows that there is lack of diversity in this particular workplace. The media has a key role in ensuring people embrace multiculturalism; when people see that this is not the case, the question as to whether the media is really doing its part comes into mind.

Discussion Screens in Australia should reflect the Australian cultural diversity. ABC, which is Australia’s national funded broadcaster, has to fulfil its Charter roles by making sure its productions feature performers who come from all groups in each type of role in order for the Australian community to come out realistically on screen. There has to be elimination of discrimination against performers whether due to their sex, national origin, creed, color, race or disability(Yeoman, p. 34).

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