Anticipated Outcomes

Anticipated outcomes include new ways to integrate contemporary, creative and performing arts and arts expressive of specific cultural contexts (such as Indigenous arts) with theory and practice in the humanities and cultural studies. Beyond this, there is the potential to leverage new knowledge as a result of exploring the interaction of arts production, creativity and innovation with theoretical and critical research practice.

We anticipate that this initiative will make arts more accessible, available through an increased range of established and emerging media, and that the Network will encourage a vigorous exploration of the contribution of creativity and self-expression in a range of cultural contexts. If so, benefits are likely to flow to the Arts, artists, academia, community life and to Australia as a nation.

Given the volume of people and resources dedicated to the arts economy the gap between theory, practice and peer reviewed analysis constitutes at best, a missed opportunity and at worst, a strategic weakness. The creativity and innovation that are integral to contemporary, visual and performance arts practice have the potential to impact upon other enterprises requiring creativity as a key ingredient, such as innovative technologies and new ways of looking at and communicating about the environment.

An important aim will be to position arts theory and arts practice as relevant to today's knowledge and information-based economy.

Business Applications

Traditional links between the arts and business will be enhanced by the application of the creative arts in the business context to stimulate creative thought, lateral thinking, increase productivity, reduce stress and build morale.

Policy

There is a potential for this group to engage in the Government policy-making process, to become a reliable peak body - a source of sound research and timely interventions.

An important aim is to strategically reposition the research through practice and performance as a research activity worthy of grant funding.