Asian art is more intertwined with “Contemporary activism as the social context. It’s not so rarefied, or white cube. We need to start thinking about how Eurocentric our ideas are about what contemporary art is. There are extremely different contexts and different ways of working. How do we present this in Australia?” Roundtable participant, 2013 Project support key findings and suggestions in the Victoria-Asia Asialink Arts Residency Alumni Research Project Cultural Engagement Survey and the industry roundtable The Asialink Arts Residency Alumni Research Project was discussions; in particular, the need for a reliable way to exchange conducted in late 2012. A survey was sent out to 426 past Asialink knowledge and information within the local arts sector and capitalise residents and a total of 58 responses were received (a 13.6 per cent on the continuing contact between arts residents and host rate of return). Findings from the survey revealed a high level of organisations. post-residency cultural activity and a strong number of residents who had maintained contacts with people they met during their residencies. Recommendations Provided by Individual Artists and Cultural Producers Ninety per cent of respondents had produced projects that had The survey conducted as part of the Asialink Arts Residency arisen from their residencies. This included exhibitions, Alumni Research Project provided the opportunity for respondents publications, collaborations, performances, recordings, to identify their priorities for improving Asia engagement in the workshops and exchange programs. next five years. While the survey was framed around improvements All survey respondents had maintained a connection with Asialink Arts could provide, the responses could be applied in a their host countries. broader context. Seventy-five per cent had maintained contact with their host Advocacy for resources for Asia-Australia cultural engagement was organisation. rated the highest priority, followed by residency programs, Ninety-five per cent had maintained contact with reciprocal residencies, developing new models for international individuals they met during their residencies. residencies, and opportunities to participate in key cultural events in Asia. Results from the 2012 Asialink Arts Residency Alumni Research
“Contemporary Asian art is more intertwined with activism as the social context. It’s not so rarefied, or white cube. We need to start thinking about how Eurocentric our ideas are about what contemporary art is. There are extremely different contexts and different ways of working. How do we present this in Australia?” Roundtable participant, 2013 Asialink Arts Residency Alumni Research Project The Asialink Arts Residency Alumni Research Project was conducted in late 2012. A survey was sent out to 426 past Asialink residents and a total of 58 responses were received (a 13.6 per cent rate of return). Findings from the survey revealed a high level of post-residency cultural activity and a strong number of residents who had maintained contacts with people they met during their residencies. Ninety per cent of respondents had produced projects that had arisen from their residencies. This included exhibitions, publications, collaborations, performances, recordings, workshops and exchange programs. All survey respondents had maintained a connection with their host countries. Seventy-five per cent had maintained contact with their host organisation. Ninety-five per cent had maintained contact with individuals they met during their residencies. Results from the 2012 Asialink Arts Residency Alumni Research Project support key findings and suggestions in the Victoria-Asia Cultural Engagement Survey and the industry roundtable discussions; in particular, the need for a reliable way to exchange knowledge and information within the local arts sector and capitalise on the continuing contact between arts residents and host organisations. Recommendations Provided by Individual Artists and Cultural Producers The survey conducted as part of the Asialink Arts Residency Alumni Research Project provided the opportunity for respondents to identify their priorities for improving Asia engagement in the next five years. While the survey was framed around improvements Asialink Arts could provide, the responses could be applied in a broader context. Advocacy for resources for Asia-Australia cultural engagement was rated the highest priority, followed by residency programs, reciprocal residencies, developing new models for international residencies, and opportunities to participate in key cultural events in Asia.
AsiaLink_Report_Web_Version_Singles1.docx