Museums and cultural diversity in Australia

Museums and cultural diversity in Australia

Lynda Kelly, Head of Audience Research

TitleAustralia’s population• Trends:

– 1901 23% OS born– 1947 10% OS born– 1994 23% OS born

• 2004 24% OS born:– majority non-English speaking countries

• 19% of Sydney residents speak language other than English at home:– Arabic & Cantonese

Title

• Aust Council/Powerhouse Museum 1996 study:– interested in gaining better understanding of

Australian society, with focus on Indigenous– decision not based on income, education &

previous experience with museums– barriers included cost, distance, language,

lack of interest & awareness

Background

Title2007 study aims

• Funded by Australian Museum, Sydney and National Museum of Australia, Canberra

• Understand CALD groups in the community and potential for museums

• Provide better services:– increase new and repeat visitation

TitleResearch approach

• Mixed-method• Workshop with CALD staff• Literature review, trend analysis:

– ABS, survey data from both museums

• Identify sample:– Chinese, Maori, Indian, Arabic/Lebanese

• Conducted in language where necessary

TitleResearch method

• Intensive research with smaller numbers of participants

• Onsite observations/in-depth interviews

• Stakeholder consultations Sydney

• My Lifestyle and Leisure Journal:– detailed individual case studies– where museums fit

Overseas born population concentrated in SW Sydney, Western Sydney and inner-suburbs

Those born in New Zealand spread across Sydney

Those born in mainland China spread across Sydney

Those born in India concentrated in Parramatta, Blacktown and Hornsby LGAs

Those born in Lebanon concentrated in SW Sydney

TitleSome initial findings (1)

• Maori community– family-oriented

– large multi-generational groups

– strong cultural focus and pride

– sports mad – especially the rugby!

• Indian community– education-focussed

– culturally active

– strongly religious

TitleSome initial findings (2)

• Arabic community:– family-oriented

– large groups gathering outdoors

– not museum-focussed

• Chinese community– education-focussed

– smaller family groups

– language barriers

– strongly traditional gender roles

TitleWhat leisure means

• Outside of paid work and family responsibilities

• Relaxing, stress-free, letting hair down, replenish, renew

• Driven by personal preferences and tastes

• Seasonal

• Not enough of it!

TitleWhere do museums fit?

• Mostly they don’t…– Canberra noticeably more cultural activity

compared with Sydney

• Perception depended on personal taste and previous exposure:– both in Australia and home country

TitleBarriers

• Not for them

• Perceived as boring

• Location and cost (for Sydney)

• Not a priority:– too much else to do

TitleOpportunities (1)

• Maori community– Exhibitions catered to multi-generational

groups, including children– Relationships: meaningful involvement with

museum

• Indian community– Make links with education– Exhibitions of art and religion

TitleOpportunities (2)

• Arabic community:– Potentially hardest to reach– Focus on children through school visits

• Chinese community– Education-focussed for the family– Address access issues: language and cost– Place to learn/develop English skills

http.//www.amonline.net.au/amarc/

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