close
close

A new report shows Australia in crisis but offers a path to prosperity through creativity

A new report shows Australia in crisis but offers a path to prosperity through creativity

A New Approach (ANA) – the Canberra-based think tank and research organization – has released another report, this time updating its findings from 2019 (‘Transformer: The Impact of Culture and Creativity‘), which identified that, “almost all of us (82.4%) attend cultural venues and events, and households spend over $25 billion a year on cultural goods and services”.

In 2019, he asked what the impact of this participation and investment could be, as well as the benefits. After five years, ANA looked in particular at the benefits – or well-being space.

titled ‘Transformative Edge 2024“, this latest research reaffirms that “creating and encouraging opportunities for people to experience art, culture and creativity helps populations live well,” says ANA CEO Kate Fielding.

However, the report paints a rather bleak picture. “Our productivity is slowing, cohesion is being challenged, tensions are rising, health is declining and our environment is under pressure,” says Fielding.

And with the growing lack of funding, the momentum for change is very much ours.

The challenges that hinder a well nation

Expanding on this perspective, the report notes that:

  • Australia had the worst social cohesion results on record in 2023.
  • Loneliness and social isolation have worsened since COVID-19.
  • People’s sense of belonging and pride in Australian culture declined between 2007 and 2022.
  • Slow productivity growth could negatively affect quality of life and future wages.
  • The educational aspirations of disadvantaged students have decreased since the last measurement of this item. This has consequences for future equity, workforce participation and success.
  • Compared to people in 14 other countries, (in 2024) people in Australia reported experiencing the highest levels of burnout when thinking about their physical, mental or social well-being.
  • The population of rural and remote Australia face unique geographic challenges in accessing health care.
  • Climate change and environmental sustainability have a negative impact in general.

These are some pretty big challenges we face as a nation.

The report also highlights the volatile arts funding environment, which creates uncertainty for artists and cultural organizations, making long-term planning or investment in innovative projects difficult.

And then there’s the lingering impact of the pandemic. Many organizations are still struggling to recover from lost revenue and regain their footing, not to mention the burnout of trying to catch up.

Arts and culture provide the “edge” to move forward

The new report presents arts and culture as the ‘edge’ we’ve been looking for to rebuild social cohesion, strengthen our economies, reconnect our communities and help us lead healthy, safe and sustainable lives.

Fielding explains: “It’s not a ‘nice to have’ – it’s essential to the well-being of all Australians”, adding that arts and culture “are the unexpected counterbalance to a nation in crisis”.

So what is this “edge”? The report builds on UNESCO’s 2022 declaration that culture is a global public good. Fielding continues: “Australia recently came fourth in the world for ‘creative thinking’ in the OECD’s (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) first global assessment of students’ skills in this area. This strong result confirms that with the right planning, Australia can punch above its weight in creativity and enjoy benefits in many areas of our lives.

To harness this future, the report follows the same framework used in the Treasury’s policy paper, “Measuring what matters(2023), analyzing the five themes: Prosperity, Cohesion, Security, Health and Sustainability.

Reading: Navigating Depression: 5 Essential Tips for Creative Artists

Key findings of the framework

Prosperity: It’s not just about making more money, the report says. It found that participation in arts and culture can raise people’s aspirations for education and future careers, particularly for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. The case studies demonstrate how exposure to creative experiences can open up new worlds of possibilities, especially for children who otherwise don’t have those opportunities.

Cohesion: This is where the report gets a little more nuanced. In 2023, Australia had the lowest scores for social cohesion, meaning people felt less connected and less like they belonged. It’s quite worrying, but the report argues that arts and culture can actually help improve social cohesion. This feels particularly relevant given the 2023 referendum on Indigenous Australian recognition.

It is not enough to simply have cultural programs. These programs must be inclusive and accessible to all; for example, offering multilingual museum tours or offering subsidized tickets to low-income families. Those little things can make a big difference. It’s about making sure everyone feels like they belong and have the opportunity to participate and break down social barriers.

Security: The report links creative and cultural engagement to active citizenship, the creation of safe spaces and what the report calls “democratic resilience”, which is essentially a society’s ability to face challenges and adapt to change while upholding democratic values .

So when people feel connected to their community and have outlets for expression, they are more likely to participate in shaping their society in positive ways. It’s about feeling empowered to make a difference, rather than feeling powerless or alienated, and that contributes to a sense of safety and security.

The report also highlights that art and culture can provide alternatives to violence by giving people platforms to express their views and engage in constructive dialogue.

Health: The report highlights that arts and culture can be a cost-effective complement to healthcare services. It paints a somewhat worrying picture of Australia’s future health, with projections of more people dealing with multiple chronic conditions and the country becoming what they call a “wellbeing exhaustion zone”.

Essentially, it means that a large part of the population is experiencing chronic stress, exhaustion and a decline in their overall well-being due to work pressures, financial anxieties, social isolation and so on. It is a worrying trend.

Reading: Unraveling Sluggish Productivity: How Artists Can Combat Burnout and Boost Creativity

There is a growing body of evidence showing the tangible benefits of arts and culture to mitigate this position – just think how listening to your favorite music can instantly lift your mood, or getting lost in a gripping novel. it can transport you to another world and melt you. away from stress. This needs to be communicated more widely.

Studies have shown that participating in creative activities can reduce stress hormones, lower blood pressure and even strengthen our immune system. For example, singing in a choir has been shown to release endorphins, improve breathing, and create a sense of social connection, all of which contribute to better mental and physical well-being.

The report even suggests that incorporating arts and cultural activities into healthcare environments can be a truly cost-effective way to improve patient outcomes and complement traditional patient treatments.

Sustainability: This is where the report gets really interesting, connecting arts and culture with Australia’s commitment to net zero emissions and a more sustainable future. Culture shapes our values ​​and behaviors, including our relationship with the environment. The report highlights how artists and cultural practitioners can use their creativity to promote sustainable practices and even inspire innovative solutions to environmental challenges.

It’s not just about mitigating negative impacts. It’s also about the role of storytelling and fostering a sense of hope in the face of adversity, and it’s about harnessing the power of art to help us deal with the emotional and psychological challenges of climate change, not just the practical ones.

Recommendations for action

red neon sign saying happy. Welfare
Recommendations for well-being include art and culture. Image: Stan B, Unsplash.

While it’s easy to point fingers and make recommendations, at its core the report is a call to action for all Australians to embrace the transformative power of creativity and work together to build a society that values ​​a vibrant cultural landscape.

Also, this report really challenges our own assumptions about arts and culture. We often see them as separate from things like the economy or health, but they are really deeply interconnected. It’s about seeding the understanding of how each element influences the others, creating this complex web of interactions.

It also starts with recognizing the value of art and culture in our own lives and in our communities. So attend local shows, visit museums, buy art from local artists and share your passion for creativity with others. These simple things can really make a difference.

And talk to your local representatives about the importance of arts funding and advocate for policies that make creative experiences more accessible to all.

Simply be an arts and culture evangelist – spread the word, spark conversations, and inspire others to join the movement to embrace art for personal and social well-being.

The report also calls on investors, both public and private, to broaden their perspective when evaluating funding proposals. So instead of focusing only on artistic merit or potential box office success, they need to consider the wider social, economic and environmental impact of cultural projects.

To read the full report: Transformative Edge 2024