Discussion paper (PDF - 459 KB)

Immunity from Seizure for Cultural Objects on Loan - Discussion Paper 2011Community benefitsThe movement of cultural property between nations has a long tradition, and is an activity which hasthe potential to bring significant social, economic and cultural benefits to both the lending andborrowing communities. It advances cultural diplomacy, enhances the study of artists, movements,societies and cultures, and allows for a better understanding of our world and the people and cultureswhich exist within it. The Australian Government recognises the important role that exhibitions play inthe Australian social, cultural and economic landscape.Social and cultural impactsThere are numerous social and cultural benefits that come with the exhibition of significant culturalmaterial. Particularly when done for the purposes of public exhibition, the loan of cultural propertycan be very influential and significant, allowing people in a relatively remote country like Australia toexperience and view objects which tell a story about the human and natural history of the world.Bringing these objects to Australia promotes accessibility, new inspiration for current and futureartists, historians and anthropologists and educational opportunities for the public which ensures theircontinued cultural engagement.They also have an important educational impact, with school groups being one of the largest audiencetypes to visit international exhibitions. With a focus on the arts and history in the new nationalcurriculum, exposure to cultural objects, artworks and other creative works from overseas will becomeincreasingly important in providing a tangible connection for Australians students to their studies.Curated exhibitions which bring together works from separate collections can inform and enlightenhistorians and artists; provide influence on academic and artistic output; and expose all visitors towider aspects of an artist or movement’s work.Economic significanceThe loan of cultural objects for public exhibition is economically significant. Exhibitions which arepopular and draw the interest of the broader community can provide an enormous boost to localeconomies. In 2009-10 the Masterpieces from Paris exhibition at the National Gallery of Australiabroke attendance records for public exhibitions in Australia, and boosted the ACT economy by morethan $90 million. It also attracted thousands of Australians to the national capital, many as first timevisitors, and increased visitation at other national collecting institutions such as the National PortraitGallery and the Australian War Memorial.This kind of economic impact can be seen Australia-wide, with Victoria’s Winter Masterpieces programdrawing large numbers of visitors each year (220,000 to 333,000). Combined with offering jointexhibition tickets which allow visitors to experience concurrent exhibitions at the National Gallery ofVictoria, Museum Victoria and the Australian Centre for the Moving Image it encourages culturalengagement and boosts the Victorian economy in excess of $130 million collectively.7