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

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 engag...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Cultural trends 2021-10, Vol.30 (5), p.391-408
Main Authors: Mackay, Sasha, Klaebe, Helen, Hancox, Donna, Gattenhof, Sandra
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Arts
Arts engagement
Ascription
Community
creative placemaking
cultural value
Culture
impact assessment
regional Australia
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary: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.
ISSN:0954-8963
1469-3690
DOI:10.1080/09548963.2021.1889343