NITV News Week In Review - Fear of causing cultural offence prevents engagement in the arts (NITV)

A report showing the gap between public opinion and audience attendance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts has revealed surprising results. The Australia Councils' 'Building Audiences Report' found 92 per cent of participants thought Indigenous arts were an important part of Australia's culture, but only a quarter had engaged with it over the previous year. Key barriers facing audiences included uncertainty about how to behave at cultural events and fear of offending; But the Australia Council is already moving to expand on successful strategies from Arts organisations in Central Australia. Desert Mob is celebrating its 25th Anniversary with an exhibition at the Alice Springs Araulen Arts Centre and other events over the remainder of the year.