The cultural tourism of a country cannot prosper without a strong sense of national identity. What sets a nation apart is what draws visitors, which contributes to a flourishing culture where art is at the very centre. The Australian Bureau of Statistics confirms that the culture sector in Australia is big business, perpetuated in art galleries, museums, theatres, film studios, opera companies, writers’ weeks, rock concerts and arts festivals (Grybowski, 2014). Many different factors impact the motivation of cultural visitors, such as demographics, the dollar and what kind of experience is being sought.
There are highly innovative businesses and individuals operating in the creative industries. Encompassing music, performing arts, software development, design and visual arts, the creative economy is recognised as a major contributor to a city’s lifestyle and attractiveness to skilled workers. To gain a better impression of ways that an industry impacts an economy, it may be pragmatic to analyse one Australian city in particular. ‘Cities and regions actively nurture their creative industries to capture the economic benefits they bring and grow local competitive industries’ (Quirk, 2014, p.2).
Sustaining cultural tourism through the arts requires support from local and federal government. In a message from Mr Rupert Myer AM, Chair of the Australia Council for the Arts, he shares that ‘Australia has every reason to be culturally ambitious and this is a very significant juncture in our cultural life. The development and delivery of the National Cultural policy, Creative Australia, symbolises the importance of the arts to a vibrant, innovative and healthy Australia’ (Myer, 2013).
‘Today, we have more high quality artists applying for support than ever before, some of them working in ways not imagined 10 years ago. On behalf of these artists we welcome the commitment of an additional $75.3 million over four years to boost our nation’s creativity’ (Myer, 2013).
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION
CREATIVE AUSTRALIA
INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL TOURISM
BRISBANE AS A CULTURAL CAPITAL
BRISBANE’S GALLERY OF MODERN ART (GOMA)
RUBY TJANGAWA WILLIAMSN
ARCHIE MOORE
TRACEY MOFFATT
BRISBANE’S ECONOMIC IMPACT
BRISBANE’S ECONOMIC FUTURE
CONCLUSION
Objectives & Core Themes
This work examines the relationship between the Australian arts sector and the growth of cultural tourism, specifically focusing on the city of Brisbane. The central research question explores how investments in creative institutions and cultural infrastructure contribute to the local economy and urban identity, transforming a city into a competitive "cultural capital."
- The impact of government policy and funding on the sustainability of the arts.
- Statistical analysis of cultural and heritage tourism motivations in Australia.
- The role of the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) as a catalyst for urban renewal and visitor attraction.
- The intersection of indigenous art, local identity, and the creative class in regional economic development.
Excerpt from the Book
BRISBANE AS A CULTURAL CAPITAL
Some institutions that form part of Brisbane’s nurturing creative scene include the Gallery of Modern Art, Illustration House, Metro Arts, Brisbane Powerhouse, Queensland College of Art, State Library of Queensland, QUT Art Museum, Museum of Brisbane, Judith Wright Centre for Contemporary Arts, Opera Queensland and the Brisbane Arts Theatre‘ (Lonely Planet, 2007, p.1).
Like most western cities, cultural enterprises in Brisbane have discovered the advantages of lifestyle and urban renewal. Author of The Rise of the Creative Class, Richard Florida (2002), defines the creative class as ‘a fast-growing, highly educated and well-paid segment of the workforce on whose efforts corporate profits and economic growth increasingly depend. Members of the creative class do a wide variety of work in a wide variety of industries -from technology to entertainment, journalism to finance, high-end manufacturing to the arts’. Exploiting cultural renewal and innovation are fundamental practices for marketing gurus and cultural commissaries.
Tony Ellwood abandoned a fast-track career in the self-proclaimed cultural capital of Melbourne to run the Queensland Art Gallery and the new $100 million, astonishingly successful Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) on the Brisbane River. Working in a vibrant expanded arts precinct, Ellwood now has an unbridled enthusiasm for his new job (Gill, 2010). He used to receive care packages of "good coffee" from concerned friends in Melbourne, where he had previously been deputy director and heir apparent at the National Gallery of Victoria (Gill, 2010). ‘The southerners' view of Brisbane as the home of white-shoed rednecks with gold medallions around their necks and chips on their shoulders is a myth, says Ellwood’ (Gill, 2010).
Summary of Chapters
INTRODUCTION: Establishes the importance of a strong national identity and the role of the creative economy as a significant contributor to a city's attractiveness.
CREATIVE AUSTRALIA: Details the government's commitment to funding artists and arts organizations to ensure the nation's vibrancy and innovation.
INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL TOURISM: Provides data on the activity types and motivations of visitors engaging with cultural and heritage sites in Australia.
BRISBANE AS A CULTURAL CAPITAL: Analyzes how institutions and lifestyle factors have shifted Brisbane's image toward that of a modern, creative city.
BRISBANE’S GALLERY OF MODERN ART (GOMA): Highlights the success of GoMA in hosting major international exhibitions and its impact on tourism.
RUBY TJANGAWA WILLIAMSN: Discusses the unique contemporary style of the artist and her standing within the Aboriginal art community.
ARCHIE MOORE: Examines the multi-media artist's perspective on language, history, and his identity as an Aboriginal man.
TRACEY MOFFATT: Profiles the internationally renowned artist and how she explores identity through photography and film.
BRISBANE’S ECONOMIC IMPACT: Explores the connection between hosting major cultural blockbusters and the measurable growth in visitor spending.
BRISBANE’S ECONOMIC FUTURE: Looks at the long-term projections for Brisbane’s economy and the role of creative industries in labor market growth.
CONCLUSION: Reflects on the necessity of ongoing community engagement for arts organizations to maintain their cultural and economic relevance.
Keywords
Cultural Tourism, Creative Economy, Brisbane, GoMA, Arts Funding, Urban Renewal, Aboriginal Art, Creative Class, Cultural Capital, Tourism Economics, National Identity, Gallery Attendance, Regional Growth, Creative Industries, Heritage Tourism
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research paper?
The paper fundamentally explores the intersection between cultural tourism and the arts in Brisbane, investigating how creative investments fuel economic development.
What are the central themes discussed in the work?
Key themes include government support for arts, the evolution of Brisbane into a "cultural capital," the economic power of major gallery exhibitions, and the identity-shaping role of indigenous and contemporary art.
What is the main objective of the study?
The goal is to analyze the pragmatic impact that creative industries have on a city's economy and lifestyle, using Brisbane as a primary case study.
Which methodology is employed in this research?
The work utilizes a literature and policy-based approach, synthesizing statistical data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, tourism surveys, and economic reports alongside industry perspectives.
What topics are covered in the main body of the paper?
The main body examines national cultural policies, the specific contributions of Brisbane's institutions like GoMA, the role of notable artists, and long-term economic forecasts for the region.
Which keywords best characterize this document?
The document is best described by terms such as Cultural Tourism, Creative Economy, Brisbane, Creative Class, and Arts Funding.
How has Brisbane’s reputation as a "cultural capital" changed over time?
Historically viewed as a "backwoods" town, Brisbane has rebranded itself as a hip, modern world city, largely driven by significant investments in arts infrastructure and the success of the Gallery of Modern Art.
What evidence is provided to demonstrate the economic success of GoMA?
The text highlights that GoMA’s ticketed exhibitions have generated over $62 million in economic impact and helped propel the gallery to high global rankings in visitor numbers.
How does the author characterize the role of Aboriginal art in modern Australia?
The author emphasizes that Aboriginal art is a vital part of the nation's identity, moving beyond stereotypical representations to include urban, political, and historical perspectives that are essential to the nation's psyche.
- Citar trabajo
- Nick Birch (Autor), 2015, The Economic Impact of Australian Art on Cultural Tourism, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/288476
