Arts and Social Well Being in Rural and Regional WA Communities
The presentation will discuss the recently funded ARC research partnership between the Department of Culture and the Arts, Country Arts WA and the University of Western Australia. This project will focus on the role that active participation in the arts plays in engendering wellbeing in the rural and regional communities Mid-West region of Western Australia.
This research will provide an innovative exploration of the relationships between the arts and social wellbeing in Australian rural communities. Drawing on a range of different social, economic and geographical contexts, the study offers a quantitative and qualitative assessment of the extent to which the arts contribute to qualities such as social connectivity, community cohesion, social inclusion, trust and reciprocity.
The presentation will discuss how the research will provide new theoretical and empirical insights into the role of cultural institutions in the social structure of rural communities. The study also addresses industry calls for more comprehensive research on the nature and impacts of the arts in rural communities. It will also provide a basis for more effective policy in the arts and regional development.
Marty Cunningham has worked extensively in the arts and cultural sector as a community cultural development worker, circus and theatre performer, arts administrator, and local government Youth Arts Officer and Community Development Officer. Marty currently heads the newly formed research and information team at the WA Department of Culture and the Arts. He has served on a number of boards, including the Community Cultural Development Board of the Australia Council for the Arts, the ArtsWA Arts Development Panel, and as the chair of Propelarts, the Western Australian youth arts network.