recognised that we need a much more “We’ve long-term view of how we build our relationships around multi- art form in our approach to performing arts, how we build stronger and deeper connections to companies and artists in the Asia Pacific region, and how we then link that to a much longer audience development strategy.” Roundtable participant, 2013 The recommendations respond to key priorities that were Many respondents to the survey provided comprehensive consistently identified by the survey respondents and sector data on Asia-related projects and activities undertaken by consultation participants. To improve Victoria-Asia engagement Victorian organisations over the last five years. the following seven strategies are recommended: Approximately 144 inbound and outbound projects were conducted by the respondents. Develop long-term, sustainable relationships rather than one-off The review of data relating to Victoria-based projects. individual artists and cultural producers revealed over 130 Support opportunities for two-way exchange in projects. projects that were supported by either Asialink, the Australia Build individual and organisational Asia-capability and Council, Arts Victoria or the Department of Foreign Affairs knowledge. and These projects ranged from attending arts markets, Coordinate opportunities for peer-to-peer networking. to exhibiting at highly respected and heavily attended Provide access to quality information and advice, including biennales and triennials. documentation about opportunities, logistics and experiences. Many organisations generously shared details of their Asia Promote the of cultural engagement with Asia ‘value’ engagement plans for the next five years. through advocacy and leadership at the political, Forty-six future projects were cited. bureaucratic and key agency levels to other areas of government, business and the community. Invest in research on Asia-Australia cultural engagement and 3. Salzburg Global Seminar and Robert Sterling Clark Foundation, and Private “Public capability to ensure Australia is at the forefront of best practice Cultural Exchange-Based Diplomacy: New Models for the 21st Century,” 2012, in this field. and Attraction: Culture and the race for soft power in the 21st century”, “Influence British Council, 2013. In response to the research findings, Asialink recommends the following key strategies and initiatives (see table opposite). Key Recommendations
“We’ve recognised that we need a much more long-term view of how we build our relationships around multi- art form in our approach to performing arts, how we build stronger and deeper connections to companies and artists in the Asia Pacific region, and how we then link that to a much longer audience development strategy.” Roundtable participant, 2013 Many respondents to the survey provided comprehensive data on Asia-related projects and activities undertaken by Victorian organisations over the last five years. Approximately 144 inbound and outbound projects were conducted by the respondents. The review of data relating to Victoria-based individual artists and cultural producers revealed over 130 projects that were supported by either Asialink, the Australia Council, Arts Victoria or the Department of Foreign Affairs and These projects ranged from attending arts markets, to exhibiting at highly respected and heavily attended biennales and triennials. Many organisations generously shared details of their Asia engagement plans for the next five years. Forty-six future projects were cited. 3. Salzburg Global Seminar and Robert Sterling Clark Foundation, “Public and Private Cultural Exchange-Based Diplomacy: New Models for the 21st Century,” 2012, “Influence and Attraction: Culture and the race for soft power in the 21st century”, British Council, 2013. Key Recommendations The recommendations respond to key priorities that were consistently identified by the survey respondents and sector consultation participants. To improve Victoria-Asia engagement the following seven strategies are recommended: Develop long-term, sustainable relationships rather than one-off projects. Support opportunities for two-way exchange in projects. Build individual and organisational Asia-capability and knowledge. Coordinate opportunities for peer-to-peer networking. Provide access to quality information and advice, including documentation about opportunities, logistics and experiences. Promote the ‘value’ of cultural engagement with Asia through advocacy and leadership at the political, bureaucratic and key agency levels to other areas of government, business and the community. Invest in research on Asia-Australia cultural engagement and capability to ensure Australia is at the forefront of best practice in this field. In response to the research findings, Asialink recommends the following key strategies and initiatives (see table opposite).