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The cohesion of a community is what binds residents to each other and to their locality. A community is at its best when it feels coherent, collaborative, and safe. Social tensions created by an influx of new people, economics, environment, or any number of factors can disturb citizens’ sense of self and stress the threads that bind them.
Immigration – the permanent migration of a person or community – can be disorienting and challenging. Each new wave of immigrants to South Australia brings new perspectives, traditions, cuisine and art, which add to the evolving cultural tapestry of Australia. The unique, complex amount of immigration and integration that Australian communities constantly go through can challenge communities and existing cultures – but arts and cultural events and activities are one of the best ways to create a new harmony. Festivals and events provide opportunities for different ethnic and cultural groups to share and celebrate their history and traditions with each other and with the broader community. They contribute to social cohesion by reducing isolation, encouraging cooperation, and building community networks.
There are many reasons why people and families migrate to South Australia, and depending on the reasons, will depend on what level and what area of government has a role to play. The Department of the Premier and Cabinet (DPC) is responsible for the development of multicultural policies and programs and the promotion of cultural diversity in South Australia. This includes the South Australian Multicultural Charter which provides guidance to South Australian government agencies (and the private sector) on placing cultural diversity at the heart of decision making. Additionally, DPC administers multicultural grant programs including Celebrate Together grants to support festivals and events which celebrate cultural diversity and Multicultural Festival grants to assist multicultural organisations to participate in the state’s Multicultural Festival.
A key priority for the South Australian Government is attracting migrants who can help to address critical skills shortages across numerous sectors of our economy. The Skilled and Business Migration Program provides migrants a pathway to living, working or establishing their business in South Australia. Given people do not just move themselves and their families across the world for a job alone, part of this program is promoting the lifestyle of our state, including the liveability, culture and entertainment.
Festivals provide an open and inclusive opportunity to celebrate diversity and encourage social inclusion within South Australia. Festivals and events provide a unique platform through which to reach and celebrate particular populations including different immigrant and cultural groups. Immigrants who participate in culturally meaningful activities show improved psychological wellbeing, enhanced positive emotions and feelings, and deeper social connections with others.
Shifting demographics over time requires ongoing effort to drive inclusivity and community cohesion:
The SA Arts & Culture Plan 2019 – 2024 affirms our societal challenge of community cohesion and the opportunities that arts and cultural activities and events present for South Australia: The changing demographic shifts experienced in South Australia over the past two decades are unique. Predominantly based in the capital city (83%), the state’s population has been ageing, while new communities of people from a range of cultural backgrounds, including growing international student communities, represent opportunities for diverse forms of cultural engagement and dialogue across all ages. South Australia has seen relatively flat population growth in recent years. However, outside of the greater Adelaide region, places like Murray Bridge, and more generally the Fleurieu Peninsula (Strathalbyn Region and Victor Harbor) are seeing some of the fastest population growth rates in the State over the past decade, with corresponding growing levels of overseas migration in some regional areas. Artists and makers have a critical role in further building the reputation of the State as a vibrant and inclusive place, and encouraging future arrivals to settle in South Australia. Participation in arts and cultural activities is also vital to the collective wellbeing of communities and is now widely recognised as contributing to a range of health outcomes, in mental health and ageing, and community resilience.
A range of multicultural events and festivals are important:
Today, close to three quarters of South Australians recognise that the arts improve understanding of other peoples and cultures, including Aboriginal culture, and should be foundational to the education of all Australians. While digital technologies offer a platform and incredible opportunities to experience diverse, global arts practices at a local level, more than ever, people still thrive by coming together – and human connection and creative spaces are required for this to happen.
Small to medium-scale, grass-roots multicultural festivals are an important part of South Australia’s multicultural fabric – they bring different cultures together with a sense of pride and offer opportunities to engage with others outside their cultural background.
Larger-scale cultural festivals such as WOMADelaide and OzAsia were established with the goal of presenting a wider range of international artists from around the world to a festival audience, enhancing the cultural diversity of Adelaide’s festival offerings. These festivals can thus be used as a vehicle for cultural diplomacy, by building cross-cultural knowledge and understanding among South Australians. In this way, Adelaide’s festivals may also help to build social cohesion within South Australia by adding to the state’s stock of ‘social capital’, or the social links which exist between otherwise unrelated groups and individuals within a community.
Events and festivals should be designed with the community in mind and with their input so that their participation crosses barriers of social class and ethnicity and leads to residents learning about each other and other neighbourhoods.
