This document summarizes research on cultural diversity and museums in Australia. It finds that the foreign-born population has increased over time and now nearly a quarter of Sydney residents speak a non-English language at home. The research aimed to understand how culturally and linguistically diverse communities engage with museums through workshops, interviews and case studies with Chinese, Maori, Indian and Arabic/Lebanese communities. It found that barriers to museum attendance included cost, distance, language barriers and lack of interest or awareness. Opportunities identified engaging specific communities included exhibitions catering to multi-generational groups for Maori, linking education for Indians, and focusing on children through school for Arabs.

1. Museums and cultural diversity in Australia Lynda Kelly, Head of Audience Research

7. Overseas born population concentrated in SW Sydney, Western Sydney and inner-suburbs Those born in New Zealand spread across Sydney Those born in mainland China spread across Sydney Those born in India concentrated in Parramatta, Blacktown and Hornsby LGAs Those born in Lebanon concentrated in SW Sydney

15. http.//www.amonline.net.au/amarc/ http://amarclk.blogspot.com/