4147.4.55.001 - Culture and Recreation News, Jul 2004  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 06/08/2004   
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CULTURAL STATISTICS ROADSHOW

Over the past 13 years, the NCCRS has been collecting and disseminating a wide range of statistics on culture and recreation activity in Australia. While these activities are a major focus of the Centre, equally important is promoting the existence of statistics and standards for the collection and analysis of data. At the request of the Cultural Ministers Council Statistics Working Group (CMC SWG), the NCCRS has recently visited each State and Territory, presenting seminars to inform cultural sector representatives about developments in relation to cultural statistics and the availability of specific data sources and resources. The seminars attracted around 300 people from a variety of organisations including government departments, cultural organisations and tertiary institutions.

As an adjunct to providing information, the NCCRS was also keen to find out the data needs of attendees to assist in the development of a national research agenda to improve the quality, coverage and use of culture-related information across Australia. Through a series of focus groups, the NCCRS collected information on the issues of importance to the cultural sector and, in particular, any known gaps in available statistics which are required to support cultural policy, planning and accountability. Common data gaps mentioned were generally in relation to:

  • Economic and social impacts of the arts;
  • Cultural tourism;
  • Digital content and use of new technologies; and
  • Regional statistics.