museums and cultural diversity in australia
DESCRIPTION
Preliminary report on study udertaken for the National Museum of Australia and the Australian Museum, SydneyTRANSCRIPT
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/
http://amarclk.blogspot.com/