Sense of belonging to a shared cultural heritage deepened

Full description

This outcome is about relationship to one’s cultural history and heritage, and experience of cultural identity and values, that are shared with others. A sense of connection to the past and being part of a historical continuum; insights into the present through understanding of the past; insights into the past. This outcome is about how cultural engagement can offer illumination of the present by providing a sense of continuity with the past, and a pathway to the future. Knowing where we have come from helps us to discover where we want to go. As the past cannot be changed, the desired endpoint is a positive connection to it.

Theory underpinning this outcome

Historical value: how the work reflects the conditions of life at the time it was created, and how it illuminates the present by providing a sense of continuity with the past (Holden, 2001); heritage (UCLG, 2006).

‘Knowing where we have come from helps us to discover where we want to go. Our social memory and our repositories of insight and understanding are essential elements to our sense of belonging. Without a sense of our past, we are adrift in an endless present’ (Hawkes, 2001, p. 30).

Policy and practice to safeguard and enhance the cultural heritage, tangible and intangible, moveable and immovable, and promote cultural industries (Hawkes, 2001, p. 30).

Belonging: creating distinctive places through arts and cultural activities generates a sense of identity and shared ownership; Identity: making art and engaging in cultural activities with diverse groups and communities produces art that is relevant to people’s lives (Australia Council for the Arts, 2010).

Evidence that this outcome occurs

Celebration of heritage through arts participation (Walker, 2002).