Representation

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The creative industries hold the great responsibility of reflecting our identities and cultures back to us. These representations are a huge contribution to our individual and collective sense of identity and political subjectivity.

There is huge power in representation – it can either limit and expand our conception of the potential in ourselves and others. Representation influences not only policy decisions, public opinion and political attitudes, it shapes our own self-definitions. When we represent others, we need to be aware of the responsibilities this entails.

Representation also includes a lack of representation. For example, in 2023 Screen Australia reported that only 21% of Australian TV drama characters are culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD), while 39% of the Australian population identifies as CALD. This can impact on an individual’s sense of belonging.

‘Growing up without seeing yourself reflected back in your nation’s stories is a quietly dehumanising thing.’

Benjamin Law

Top resources to Representation

Article

What Happens When You Tell Somebody Else’s Story?

Multi-award-winning Waanyi writer Alexis Wright on the power of representation.

'we often feel it is pointless to take on the endless stream of other people’s points of view about us that comes through the media, or to make the effort any more to turn around each new and mostly negative storytelling trend. The truth is, we have simply become other people’s subject matter in the stories they tell, and pay the high price of their foolishly playing around with the Aboriginal sense of self.'

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  • 51 minute
    read

  • Published: 2016
    Country: Australia

  • Author: Alexis Wright

Policies

Racial Equity and Representation

Recommendations from the National Association for the Visual Arts' Code of Practice for Visual Arts, Craft and Design.

Structural issues and barriers in the arts, 'can look like being asked to ‘perform’ your identity in your art, being visibly tokenised but not properly remunerated for your labour, having your culture and language disrespected, or being asked for access to your contacts or community without a proper process of paid consultation.'

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  • 6 minute
    read

  • Published: 2023
    Country: Australia

  • Author: National Association for the Visual Arts

Article

Cultural diversity and the arts

Australia's Race Discrimination Commissioner on representation.

'There is no human right...for people to be reflected in the arts or in media. But we can all appreciate that someone’s dignity can be connected with how they – or, to be more specific, the group they belong to – are depicted in the public sphere. Where a group in society is invisible or demeaned, the message is clear. Those in that group are outsiders, second-class members, or even an ‘other’ against whom society defines itself.'

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  • 7 minute
    read

  • Published: 2017
    Country: Australia

  • Author: Dr Tim Soutphommasane

Toolkit

Dismantling Anti-Blackness in Democratic Workplaces

A learning guide with activities, resources, writings, and prompts for further reflection and growth

'Our goal in creating this packet is to equip democratic workplaces with tools to see and address antiBlack racism when it happens, as well as creating systems and practices that undermine anti-Black racism.'

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  • 45 minute
    read

  • Author: Anti-Oppression Resource & Training Alliance

Policies

Cultural Representation Pledge

Sydney Theatre Company's pledge to represent the lives and stories of the people of Sydney, in all their cultural complexity via a commitment to Anti-Racism, education and training, pathways to opportunity and leadership, playwriting, programming and employment.

'We know the stories we share, and the storytellers we offer a platform to, can help to shift our culture in a positive direction, and we want our stages to be a place that represents the many beautiful cultures of our city and beyond.'

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  • 12 minute
    read

  • Published: 2020
    Country: Australia

  • Author: Sydney Theatre Company

 
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