Performing arts
Introduction
In Australia, Indigenous heritage comprises all
objects, sites and knowledge transmitted from
generation to generation. Indigenous people
have a living heritage. Their connection with
the land, water, animals, plants and other
people is an expression of cultural heritage.
Writing, performing, music, the visual arts,
and media arts are some of the mediums
for transmitting Indigenous cultural heritage.
As primary guardians and interpreters of
their cultures, Indigenous people have
well-established protocols for interacting
with their cultural material. New situations
also require cultural protocols.
Although each guide in the suite addresses
cultural protocols specific to an artform, the
same underlying principles are common to each.
We hope Indigenous people, and those
working with them, will be inspired and
encouraged to use these principles as a
framework for developing protocols appropriate
to their specific projects, language groups,
regions and communities.
We also hope the guides will spark debate and
that additional protocols will be developed
across artforms.
Send any comments about this guide or any
suggestions for improvement to the Australia
Council for the Arts.
Executive Director
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts
Australia Council for the Arts
PO Box 788
Strawberry Hills NSW 2012
atsia@australiacouncil.gov.au
Using the this guide
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on the cultural issues of a particular group, we
recommend you speak to people in authority,
or engage an Indigenous cultural consultant
with relevant knowledge and experience.
Reading this guide from cover to cover is an
important and highly recommended first step.
The introduction defines protocols as
used in this guide, and looks at the special
characteristics of Australia’s Indigenous
performing arts.
The next section, Indigenous heritage, gives an
overview of the issues that inform the
development of Indigenous protocols. It explores
the complexity of Indigenous Australia and the
potential impact of this on the planning of a drama
or dance project. It also charts international
initiatives for the protection of Indigenous
cultural and intellectual property rights.
The key sections, drama principles and protocols
and dance principles and protocols, present the
nine principles that support the protection of
Indigenous cultural heritage. It includes valuable
information on protocols specific to the use of
cultural heritage material in drama and dance
practice. A number of case studies and
commentaries from Indigenous performing arts
practitioners identify pitfalls and offer readers
valuable advice.
The common issues section covers fees and
employment conditions, festival performances
and the ‘welcome to country’ protocol, which
are common to both dance and drama. There
are also references to a number of other
protocol documents produced in recent years.
The copyright section contains general
information and advice on the main law in
Australia governing the use and reproduction
of the performing arts and cultural expression.
This guide is designed to be an initial point of
reference in planning a work with Indigenous
The implementation section provides a checklist
performing arts practitioners, or using Indigenous
of key points to consider when developing
cultural material. When you need specific advice
protocols for a performing arts project.
Performing arts
Introduction
What are protocols?
It’s easy to get caught up in following the
path of least resistance. We have to go
with what’s important, not what’s easy.3
Wesley Enoch, Indigenous theatre director
Protocols are appropriate ways of using
Indigenous cultural material, and interacting
with Indigenous people and their communities.
Protocols encourage ethical conduct and
promote interaction based on good faith and
mutual respect. Indigenous protocols arise
from value systems and cultural principles
developed within and across communities
over time.
Responsible use of Indigenous cultural
knowledge and expression will ensure that
Indigenous cultures are maintained and protected
so they can be passed on to future generations.
It is important to recognise the diversity and
complexity of the many different Indigenous
cultures in Australia. Ways of dealing with issues
and cultural material may differ from community
to community. There are also many different
protocols across the diversity of urban, rural
and remote communities.
While it is not possible to prescribe universal
rules for engaging with Indigenous performers
and their communities, there are some
fundamental principles within which to conduct
respectful work.
The protocols outlined in this guide are shaped
by nine fundamental principles. The protocols
are, by definition, ways of applying these
principles. For example, a cultural protocol to
action the underlying principle of respect is to
acknowledge the Indigenous custodians of
country at the site of each performance or event.
The guide identifies many specific protocols,
which can be applied or adapted by writers,
producers, directors, choreographers,
dramaturges, dancers, performers, designers,
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event managers, arts organisations and others
working in the performing arts.
The guide also aims to formally identify issues
arising from the interaction between Indigenous
cultural concerns and the law protecting the
rights of artists. The Australian legal system
incorporates some but not all
of these concerns.
While protocols differ from legal obligations,
this guide outlines the current copyright law
framework. The process of following the
protocols supports the recognition of Indigenous
heritage rights. It encourages culturally
appropriate working practices, and promotes
communication between all Australians with an
interest in the Indigenous performing arts.
These protocols are accepted and used by
many Indigenous performing artists and arts
organisations and have also been used for
several Indigenous performance projects.
What is Indigenous performance?
Indigenous performance is an important part
of Indigenous culture.
Performance is about expressing cultural
belonging. It is part of ceremony, storytelling,
celebration, mourning, coming together and
telling of events in Indigenous people’s lives,
both past and present.4
Indigenous performance is not divided easily
into categories of traditional and contemporary.
In this publication ‘traditional’ refers to works
that are drawn from a pre-existing cultural base.
Indigenous performance refers to:
• acting
• dancing
• directing
• dramaturgy.