TheatreSpace
Accessing the Cultural Conversation ARC Linkage Project,
2008-2011
John O'Toole, Kate Donelan, Angela O'Brien, Clare Irvine, Tim Stitz
This large scale and longitudinal study focuses on young people's experiences as audience members of live theatrical performance: the factors that promote, deter or exclude their sustained engagement in Australia's cultural conversation. It investigates the responses of young people 14 - 24, at school and post-school from diverse backgrounds to productions by the flagship theatre companies and cultural centres in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. It examines the cultural choices that young people make or that adults make for them, and their real and perceived access to major artistic providers, through education and community participation.
The project is funded by the Australian Research Council and being carried out jointly by The University of Melbourne (ACE members Prof John O'Toole and Dr Kate Donelan, along with Associate Professor Angela O'Brien from Arts), The University of Sydney (Faculty of Education & Social Work members Assoc. Professor Robyn Ewing, Assoc. Professor John Hughes and Dr Michael Anderson) and Griffith University (Professor Bruce Burton and Associate Professor Penny Bundy). Partner organisations of this project include:
