HoWC
NAVIGATION
Design concept by ITN Architects
What is HoWC?
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Strategic Intention
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Guiding Principles
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From the Artists
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Benefits of a HoWC
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Around the World
20 - 21
Investment
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References
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Opportunity
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WHAT IS HoWC Introduction The House of World Cultures (HoWC) is a place of discovery and offers a unique opportunity to activate Victoria’s living cultural heritage. A HoWC in Victoria would be a leading light in contemporary art and current developments in world cultures, where exploration is encouraged, a dialogue is created and intercultural collaborations are initiated, emphasising the vital role of culture for the progress of society at large. The HoWC will transform hearts, minds and lives. It will grow Victoria’s creative industries by educating and nurturing an appreciation of diverse cultural expressions and will celebrate Victoria’s uniqueness, our diversity. It will ensure the State is at the forefront of social cohesion and cultural democracy and will provide important international links to global communities. The HoWC will be recognised internationally as an iconic symbol of cultural diversity, contributing to the cultural, social and 4
Fire Monkey (Singapore/Australia), Mapping Melbourne 2016, photo by Gregory Lorenzutti
economic growth of Victoria’s multicultural population. The HoWC will provide a platform for our growing population to participate in the creative industries expanding the cultural tourism infrastructure within Victoria. HoWC will enhance Victoria’s reputation as the creative capital, symbolically recognising the cultural value of the community. It would promote Victoria as the creative State and as the leader in social cohesion and community harmony. It will deliver a broad range of activities and events to artists and visitors to enjoy, reflect and learn - extending its program to communities in metropolitan and regional Victoria. By establishing a world renowned symbolic and creative place where all cultures are welcome to express, share, participate, celebrate and learn, we will ensure a strong cultural legacy for the State of Victoria. It is about our future.
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WHAT IS HoWC The HoWC provides the State with the opportunity to align with, promote and celebrate the UNESCO Convention on the protection and promotion of the diversity of cultural expression. The HoWC is shaped by the guiding principles of cultural vitality, creative aspiration, social equity and global harmony - building on the foundations of partnership, respect and human rights.
Activities offered by the HoWC would include multicultural performances, mentoring programs, professional development of artists, a five senses learning centre, master classes, training, community cultural development workshops and educational programs. These activities will enable communities, tourists and residents to enjoy and share the experience of Victoria’s diversity.
The HoWC feasibility study, commissioned by Multicultural Arts Victoria, indicated that there are currently no symbolic places for the celebration of cultural diversity that will meet the goals proposed for the HoWC. The feasibility study explored various options for this initiative including Princes Pier as a possible site. MAV are exploring further site options for the HoWC.
The HoWC will involve many artists and communities in the delivery of the HoWC program of events and activities that encourage community access and engagement, and promotes cultural tourism, creating significant cultural, social and economic benefits for Victoria.
The development of a House of World Cultures aligns with a range of Victorian Government policies, priorities and programs as well as relevant national and international policies.
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Abyei Sudanese Jazz Band, photo by Michelle Grace Hunder
As Victoria moves towards a more culturally diverse population, consideration of the impact this increasing diversity will have on the community and its wellbeing is paramount.
The HoWC will provide a sustainable and innovative use of a space to boost Victoria’s creative economy and tourism. The HoWC would contribute enormously to the State’s growth and unique character.
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GUIDING PRINCIPLES Transforming leadership through... Creative Aspiration • Inspiring innovation and celebration that explores cultural identity • Giving voice and creative opportunity to all cultures • Growing dynamic Australian creative cultural content Cultural Vitality • Creating unique intercultural and cultural experiences • Renewing cultural expressions • Shaping new cultural narratives through sharing different perspectives Social Equity • Affirming that arts and cultural diversity defines our community • Strengthening the creative ecology to ensure access for all • Facilitating creative social enterprise that builds resilience, sustainability and brings social, cultural and economic opportunities Global Harmony • Encouraging discourse on contemporary issues of our time • Building capacity across communities, thinking globally • Embracing identity and cultural knowledge 8
• Enhancing cultural diplomacy and cultural tourism
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BENEFITS OF A HoWC The HoWC vision is to be recognised internationally as Victoria’s iconic home for the celebration of cultural diversity. The HoWC mission is to facilitate a deep sense of community identity and social cohesion by celebrating cultural diversity and providing opportunities for collaborative cultural expression. Drawing inspiration from international benchmarks including New York’s Piers 54 and 57 and New Zealand’s Te Papa, the HoWC will function as both a programmable multi-disciplinary arts and community space incubating new work and facilitating social cohesion and cultural exchange. The concept has also been inspired by our diverse communities aspirations and a series of successful Piers Festivals that celebrated diversity and were attended by thousands of local residents and Victoria’s culturally diverse communities. The importance of the creative industries as a platform for positive and non-threatening cultural expression underpins the House of World Cultures. 10
Luminous Lunas, Traces of Transformation, Mapping Melbourne 2015, photo by Windu Kuntoro
Multicultural Arts Victoria’s long history strongly demonstrates how arts and cultural interactions bring change, acceptance and respect providing tangible cultural, social and economic benefits. Social: promoting understanding and cohesion at a time when the world faces significant challenges across cultures. Cultural: incubating developing encouraging sharing and demonstrating the richness of Australian culture. Economic: generating income through the creative industries through visitation to the HoWC by locals and tourists. The HoWC retail strategy “A Taste of the World” will focus on: diversity and vibrancy, generosity and sharing, authenticity and rituals and stories and learning. The HoWC will provide opportunities for increased understanding and greater visibility of our changing, multicultural population.
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INVESTMENT Multicultural Arts Victoria has made a significant investment in developing the House of World Cultures.
agencies would need to invest in recurrent funding for MAV to manage the activation program.
By investing in cultural diversity the HoWC aims to address two key problems:
The HoWC will significantly contribute to the cultural infrastructure of Victoria enabling new program delivery and events that have not been readily available to the community in such a capacity before.
• The lack of equitable cultural participation is not reflective of the Victorian community • The lack of understanding and visibility of a multi-lingual, multi-faith changing population is challenging social cohesion The HoWC invests in the cultural diversity of a contemporary Victoria, providing opportunity for grass roots engagement of cultural groups and artists to produce and participate in creative opportunities. The HoWC will enhance the profile of Victoria’s diverse communities whilst honouring and respecting the cultural heritage, customs and beliefs of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
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Above: Black Harmony Gathering 2015, photo by James Henry Below: Traces of Transformation, Mapping Melbourne 2014, photo by Windu Kuntoro
The delivery and long term operations of the HoWC is a feasible project with capital and recurrent financial commitment from State Government, as well as revenue streams secured from Government agencies, commercial operations and the private sector. The State Government of Victoria and other
The HoWC will provide a home for cultural activities as well as a base for outreach programs to be implemented throughout metropolitan and regional Victoria and internationally. The current gap in the Creative Industries acknowledged by Creative Victoria in the 2016 Creative State Policy is “there is still work to be done to ensure that diversity in our cultural products and experiences reflects the diversity of our population”. A HoWC would address this gap and would contribute to Melbourne and Victoria becoming a leading global cultural destination and allows us to capitalise on the investment with our diverse cultural diaspora.
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OPPORTUNITY Melbourne is already renowned for being the world’s most liveable city – safe, dynamic, multicultural, open-minded and with world class arts, entertainment and hospitality. Melbourne now has a great opportunity to drive Australia’s growth and to establish a global presence as a leading creative city. A HoWC will contribute significantly to the cultural tourism offer of the City. HoWC will profile Melbourne’s and Victoria’s diversity and migration history. Culture and heritage can generate significant economic benefits through its role in attracting tourists to local areas, and their expenditure. According to Tourism Research Australia over half (51%) of all international visitors to Australia in 2009-10 were cultural visitors (2.6 million). Domestic and international cultural tourists spent around $15.9bn – 25% of all tourism spend. Cultural visitors stay twice as long and spend 70% more than other kinds of visitors; they also travel more. Nearly two thirds (63%) of international visitors visited a historic or 14
DJ Honey, Beleive in the Beat DJ Crew, Rights By the River 2010, photo by James Henry Photography
heritage building site and over half visited museums or art galleries. Heritage becomes valuable and interesting once culture is recognised as contributing to the global competitiveness of cities. A HoWC could give Melbourne a competitive edge nationally and internationally. More and more cities are positioning themselves internationally in terms of culture including the City of Melbourne. This is also recognised by Creative Victoria’s new Creative State Policy. “Melbourne as a global cultural destination”, aims to establish Melbourne as a world renowned cultural and creative capital, based on having the right mix of cultural infrastructure, organisations, programming and investment. International cities such as London are positioning themselves as a cultural city, arguing that a straight commercial focus risks losing sight of what has made London successful, which lay in its cultural and artistic life, bringing twice as many visitors to London as New York, and 50% more than Paris. 15
OPPORTUNITY
STRATEGIC INTENTION
In order to be competitive at international level cities need to recognise the importance of ‘culture’ as the key to economic success. The things that will drive economic growth in the cities of the future – creativity, imagination, experimentation and appreciation of difference – can all be found in the arts, making funding the arts which embrace diversity one of the best investments possible. Studies and research have indicated how cultural diversity works through the economy to benefit Australian society: in areas from tourism, education, and are important assets towards general community vibrancy, resilience and adaptability.
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La Cumbiamba Y La Cumbiambita Dance Group, Mix It Up!: Sounds of Colombia 2009, photo by DWV Photography
WELCOMING ALL CULTURES ECONOMIC
CULTURAL
SOCIAL
Employment Economic inclusion Social enterprise development Creative business incubation Cultural tourism and investment International cultural partnerships & diplomacy
Diversity Community pride Identity and belonging Cultural and intercultural connection Cultural product reflective of the richness of Australian culture
Cultural literacy Health and wellbeing Community strength and resilience Social cohesion Sustainable community development Education and dialogue
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FROM THE ARTISTS In developing the HoWC, Multicultural Arts Victoria held stakeholder workshops and community consultations that resulted in considerable positive feedback from Australian artists and communities from culturally diverse backgrounds. Artists were enthusiastic about the HoWC as a cultural incubator of talent. They believed it would be transformational for artists, audiences and the wider community. What they said: “A place for creative development and incubation”
“The HoWC gives valuable opportunities for greater public visibility of our culture”
“A place to learn, share, support and thrive”
“Sharing culture, stories and knowledge is critical in a two way learning environment”
“The HoWC will directly support artists by providing professional opportunities and exposure to the wider community” “A special place to consume world art” “The HoWC will enhance creative enterprise development and will encourage and assist artists to showcase their talents” Nakarin Jaikla, body art, Traces of Transformation, Mapping Melbourne 2014, photo by Windu Kuntoro
“The HoWC would be a great place for younger people from multicultural groups to come together to explore and express their feelings on identity and to realise their aspirations” “HoWC is a place where everyone feels welcome in a safe and respectful environment”
“HoWC is a place of discovery”
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“Intergenerational and intercultural engagement is important”
“A HoWC is a place to explore links and commonalities in cultural diversity” “Opportunity for community engagement and education” “A place that promotes a sense of belonging”
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AROUND THE WORLD
AROUND THE WORLD
Pier 54 55 New York
Te Papa New Zealand
Pier 54 played an important role as Hudson River Park’s primary event space and has since been in the redevelopment process. The vision for Pier 54/55 is to create a new park built on a platform over the Hudson River that would float above the water. The space will include an amphitheatre as well as other performance areas and cultural spaces.
Te Papa is the National Museum of New Zealand and was developed in 1998. The museum acts as a forum for change and helps people form ideas about the world through experiencing and sharing different perspectives. It provides a strong benchmark in relation to bringing together communities and representing the original people of the land and all others that have come to New Zealand.
Haus Der Kulturen Berlin
Pier 57 New York
Aspirational Benchmarks
Haus der Kulturen or the House of Cultures was opened in 1989 in Berlin with the intention of bringing diverse societal groups in the immigrantrich metropolis of Berlin into conversation. Its success lies in the flexibility of its space and ability to present a wide range of programs covering all forms of creative expression in an iconic building that forms a destination in itself.
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Aspirational Benchmarks
The vision is to create approximately 300,000 square feet of innovative cultural, recreational and public market activities, all located within a restored historic structure. Several acres of public open space on the Pier 57 rooftop and along the waterfront will also be created. The ground floor will be a retail mall where the shipping containers will be installed, with the idea that the low-cost booths will create a home for tenants who might not otherwise be able to lease traditional retail space, and create a unique mix of shops. 21
References 2016, Creative State, Victoria’s First Creative Industries Strategy 2016-2020, prepared by Creative Victoria 2016, The Role of Culture in Promoting Inclusion in the Context of Migration, Prepared by European Commission 2016, House of World Cultures Feasibility Study Princes Pier, prepared by Root Projects Australia and Creative Economy 2015, House of World Cultures Preliminary Retail Strategy (Draft), prepared by Village Well and Essential Economics 2015, House of World Cultures/Princes Pier/Indicative Order of Cost - Cost Plan no. 1a, prepared by WT Partnership 2015, House of World Cultures - A Sustainable Strategic Future PowerPoint Presentation to Multicultural Arts Victoria presented by Helene George, Creative Economy, September 2015 2014-2015, Multicultural Arts Victoria Annual Report, prepared by Multicultural Arts Victoria 2014. Creative Cities-Fabian Society, prepared by Mary Delahunty 2014, House of World Cultures Pier Pavilion/Architectural Concept, prepared by ITN architects 2014, Princes Pier - Operator Request for Proposal (RFP), a submission made by Multicultural Arts Victoria to the Victorian Department of State Development, Business and Innovation 2012, Annual Piers Festival Reports (2012 - 2015), prepared by Multicultural Arts Victoria for the Victorian Office of Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship Paper: Economic benefits of Cultural diversity prepared by SGS Economics and Planning Pty Ltd WWW https://www.sgsep.com.au/publications/economic-benefits-cultural-diversity Essay: ‘Only Connect’ – The Social, Economic and Environmental Benefits Of Cultural Heritage Prepared by Kate Clark WWW https://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/pages/f4d5ba7d-e4eb-4ced-9c0e104471634fbb/files/essay-benefits-clark.pdf
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Righteous Youth Forum 2014, photo by James Henry
Cover and back cover: Fire Monkey (Singapore/Australia), Mapping Melbourne 2016, photos by Gregory Lorenzutti
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Multicultural Arts Victoria multiculturalarts.com.au +613 9188 3681