Arts Abroad: A Round-Up of Recent International Arts News
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Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. | Image: YouTube.
To give you a broader look at the bigger picture of global arts and culture, the BC Alliance will occasionally take a look the world of international arts, culture and heritage advocacy. Here’s what’s going on around the world.
In March, the 8th World Summit on Arts & Culture took place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. More than 430 delegates attended the event, co-hosted by the National Department for Culture and Arts, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Malaysia and the International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies (IFACCA).
The themes discussed included the need to listen to citizens and communities; to move beyond questions of access toward ensuring truly equitable participation for all; to safeguard the cultural rights and well-being of citizens; and to create space for dialogue and difference in a digital age that makes rampant demands on our attention. For reflections on the conference and its sessions, read the full conference report here.
Ireland’s Arts Council has released its new Equality, Human Rights & Diversity Policy & Strategy. In this three-year action plan, the Council “commits to placing equality, human rights and diversity at the heart of the Arts Council’s operational and strategic plans” and acknowledges that “[t]his will require fundamental changes in our structures and operations, as well as for those we support in delivering the arts in Ireland.” To read the full policy and strategic plan, click here.
In New Zealand, a national network has been launched to emphasize the connections between arts, health, and well-being. According to CreativeNZ, “Te Ora Auaha: Creative Wellbeing Alliance Aotearoa is made up of individuals, groups and [organizations] across the arts, health, youth, social and education sectors.”
“Here in New Zealand, there are excellent examples of the arts being used to promote health and wellbeing in our hospitals, schools, community-based creative spaces, communities and prisons,” said the Hon. Carmel Sepuloni, Minister of Social Development and Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage. ““However, we don’t have the level of research, policy and investment that our international peers have. Te Ora Auaha provides a wonderful opportunity for us to work in partnership across a range of sectors and make a compelling case for arts and creativity to be [recognized] as an innovative, cost-effective way to enhance [well-being].”
For more information on the new initiative, click here.
