Vital Signs: Cultural Indicators for Australia - first edition, for consultation

Abstract

National indicators play an important role in many fields of policy (notably in education, the economy and the environment) in enabling governments to assess the strength of a sector, the key features of its contribution to the community, the impact of policy initiatives, and trends in its growth or decline over a period of time. Vital Signs is the first attempt to create such a measurement tool for arts and culture in Australia. It draws on international research and practice in the field, including the New Zealand Government's work in this same area. The purpose of the report is to deliver a tool to enable governments, the sector and the community to monitor the achievements of the sector, the roles arts and culture play in economic and social agendas, and the vitality and cultural impact of Australian arts and cultural output.