Artists from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds across the State will now be able to connect with each other and wider audiences through a new Multicultural Arts Portal (MAP).
Developed by Community Arts Network WA (CAN), the Multicultural Arts Portal is a public online geospatial map that shows registered artists and organisations. People can use the MAP to search art forms, activities, types of organisations, cultural groups and partnerships.
The project aims to make it easier to connect arts and cultural organisations and culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) artists and communities.
The site already features more than 150 arts peer organisations, individual artists, community groups, and service and local government providers.
The MAP was developed following extensive consultation with the sector, which identified the need for a common infrastructure and knowledge linking tool.
CAN is supported with funding from the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries.
The Multicultural Arts Portal is available at http://www.canwa.com.au
As stated by Citizenship and Multicultural Interests Minister Paul Papalia:
"Western Australians originate from more than 190 countries and speak more than 270 languages. This diversity is reflected in our dynamic and exciting arts community.
"The Multicultural Arts Portal will help arts organisations tap into a wealth of creative talent from WA's culturally and linguistically diverse communities and provide an important platform for artists to access opportunities to reach a mainstream audience."
As stated by Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman:
"The Multicultural Arts Portal will encourage greater access and connection for all Western Australians to culture and the arts.
"It is important that the arts sector reflects the diversity of our State's population, understands the value of diversity and promotes inclusivity in all its activities.
"Developing and producing work that is as diverse as its audience, by including stories that draw from a range of experiences and perspectives and by promoting diverse talent, is fundamental to the success of the sector."
