Just three months ago, our world was a very different place, unrecognisable from today.
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In February, still in the grip of a devastating drought and counting the costs of a cataclysmic bushfire season, Australians sought solace, as we always have, in the things that help us get through the challenges that life throws at us: an evening out at the movies, going to a live concert or theatre performance, catching up with friends at a local cultural festival or taking some time out to read.
At that moment, just before our lives were turned upside down through the declaration of a global pandemic, Canberra-based independent think tank A New Approach (ANA) brought together groups of what we describe as "middle Australians" for conversations about the role that arts and culture plays in their own lives and that of their families.
These middle Australians are middle-aged, middle-income, "swinging voters" from suburbia and regional Australia. People without agendas, people not rusted onto arts and culture causes. People whose views on a wide range of issues are getting stronger day by day.
These are people who are less likely to attend the opera, theatre, or the ballet. Our "middle Australians" told us their greatest passion was for events and activities that brought communities together. Think the national multicultural or folk festivals, Summernats, or concerts in the park to celebrate Canberra Day or Australia Day.
Given the current dire situation in our arts and culture space, this insight into what middle Australia really thinks about arts and culture is perfectly timed, as we slowly start to emerge from the coronavirus bubble.
Just as our musicians and comedians rallied to the cause to lift our nation's morale and raise huge sums of money after the summer bushfires, our creative community will be vital in our nation's journey out of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The research findings are unequivocal: middle Australians are adamant that arts and cultural events and activities, such as festivals and music concerts, are hugely important for bringing communities and families together - and are even more important when the going gets tough.
The ANA's review of international evidence, completed in 2019 and titled Transformative: Impacts of Culture and Creativity, found that arts and culture play a unique role in building and maintaining social cohesion. Studies from around the world show that when cultural and creative activities deliberately focus on improving social cohesion outcomes, they help build community belonging and trust. They also help individuals to recover from disasters and trauma.
It's almost 50 years ago to the day that Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell recorded her song Big Yellow Taxi. As we've all struggled to come to grips with the health, economic and societal issues thrown at us by COVID-19, Mitchell's killer line "that you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone" has never rung truer.
Ironically, within days of our focus groups being completed, Australia started to shut down. Physical distancing became the new norm. No more cinemas. No festivals. No concerts. No libraries. No school choir performances. No live theatre.
Our latest research reveals the importance of these activities - which most of us have always taken for granted - to middle Australians, to their families and their communities. When it returns, as it will, we should never take it for granted again.
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Our study bears this out, with participants saying engagement with arts and culture helps people to feel less isolated, to better understand each other, to have something to look forward to, and even to improve their mental health.
"All of these things make us happier, which is better for our mental health. Without those things there is a lot more strain on services like that." (Female, Brisbane)
"It opens you up to different perspectives and understanding of not necessarily cultures, but just of people's way of looking at the world and way of doing things. You expand what you know and your awareness of others." (Male, Sydney)
As Australia starts to ease the physical distancing requirements that have been crucial to our success in managing COVID-19, governments are examining how we can progressively and safely resume our public life.
It is clear that arts and culture will be an important part of our long recovery journey as we come out the other side of this pandemic. These new insights into the attitudes of middle Australians reinforce how critically important it will be that consideration is given to ensuring Australians will, when safe, have the opportunity to get together again to enjoy arts and cultural experiences with their friends, families and broader communities.
Just as our musicians and comedians rallied to the cause to lift our nation's morale and raise huge sums of money after the summer bushfires, our creative community will be vital in our nation's journey out of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Kate Fielding is the program director of A New Approach, an independent think tank championing effective investment and return in Australian arts and culture. ANA is a joint initiative of The Myer Foundation, the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation, Keir Foundation and the Australian Academy of the Humanities.
