Framing the Future: Developing an Arts and Cultural Policy for NSW Discussion Paper

Art Gallery of New South Wales Response

The Art Gallery of New South Wales (Gallery) is dedicated to serving the widest possible audience, both nationally and internationally, as a centre of excellence for the collection, preservation, documentation, interpretation and display of Australian and international art. The Gallery is also dedicated to providing a forum for scholarship, art education and the exchange of ideas.

State Cultural Institutions are leaders in their field How can the State Cultural Institutions enhance their performance and status as leading institutions? Cultural leadership Recognising and valuing the cultural leadership that resides within the State’s cultural institutions across government would enhance the reputation of the cultural institutions and underpin their reputation as cultural destinations of excellence and innovation. For Sydney to retain its reputation as Australia’s only global city it needs cultural institutions with global reputations for excellence and innovation in programming, collections and education. Maintaining international relevance is also a key platform of cultural leadership. Cultural institutions provide access to Australian arts and cultural globally, they articulate an Australian point of view on international arts and cultural issues and collaborate with new partners on international projects. Cultural leadership also grows access to scholarship and expertise on Australian arts and culture to new and emerging art markets particularly in the Asia Pacific region. Recognition and support by Government of cultural leadership will also help navigate the increasingly challenging global environment where there is greater competition for a limited supply of artworks and exhibition experiences. A focus for the Gallery is enhancing strategic cultural engagement with Asian art museums through programs including exchange of staff in key areas such as

curatorial, research, public engagement, education, conservation, exhibitions management, tourism and marketing. Programs such as these are developed as partnerships of equals and become incubators for ideas and initiatives that transcend borders. How can the State Cultural Institutions increase the benefits to NSW of their activities, collections and programming? Learning for life Education is a key area of service delivery for the Cultural Institutions. The Gallery committed to excellence in the delivery of education initiatives and continues to innovate as a provider of online distance learning and engages with the full diversity of the Australian community. Government support in establishing and maintaining arts and cultural infrastructure positively impacts on the education opportunities cultural institutions can make available to learners of all ages. Alignment of infrastructure requirements to the constantly evolving arts and culture sector also provides opportunities for visitors of all ages to discover new ways of engaging with art. Lifelong learning facilities deepen community understanding of the art of our time as well as the past. What are the major physical infrastructure requirements of the arts and cultural sector? Cultural precinct identity within the city Cultural institutions are recognised for their role in activating precincts and enlivening both the day and late night economy of the city. Development of cultural infrastructure needs to be matched to the NSW Government’s aspirations for the city. Recognition of the relationship between the states’ major cultural institutions and their city is critical. For Sydney to claim its position as a global city it needs 21st century cultural institutions. The Gallery is planning a major building expansion within the next decade. Titled Sydney Modern this institutional transformation will create a truly 21st century art museum and establish the Gallery as a cultural leader in our region. The Gallery’s major building expansion will encompass development of a new cultural precinct from the Gallery, Domain and Hyde Park leading towards the Royal Botanic Gardens and Sydney Opera House and the Museum of Contemporary Art. Embedded within the building expansion is provision for diverse dining facilities and experiences, a late night cinémathèque. These will be significant assets for the communities of Sydney and for interstate and overseas visitors. What, if any, are the main steps that the NSW Government could take to help the cultural sector benefit from digital technologies? Digital platforms

Innovation across digital platforms is already prevalent across the cultural institutions. As digital business requirements evolve it is critical resources are made available to support ICT structures (systems, processes and resources) to ensure cultural institutions keep pace in the digital realm. Valuing and promoting what the cultural institutions are currently doing should be a key strategy. This could also be achieved in part through a standard approach to the collection of statistical information related to electronic service delivery. Terminology referencing digital platforms as it relates to the cultural intuitions must remain current and reflect the changing and evolving language of the digital realm.