The continuing confusion between the concepts of art and culture makes it difficult for effective sustainability strategies to be developed and implemented. Just as the social, environmental and economic impacts of initiatives that affect society need to be evaluated, so too does its cultural impact. Not taking into account the relationship between planning and values is both silly and dangerous. We need normalised methods of dealing with this problem. Developing a cultural 'lens' through which ALL initiatives can be viewed is a way to achieve this. Levels of participation in a strategy's development, its authenticity in relation to the values of those upon whom it will impact, and the likely effect on the vitality of affected communities, are the key issues that such a framework could address.

A first step in this direction needs to be the embracing of a wide concept of culture (eg, the social production of meaning) and recognising that the arts form only a small (but nevertheless significant, part of this process). The benefits of this distinction run both ways. While 'culture' becomes able to be utilised as an analytical tool across all fields, so does 'art' become more clearly a description of the ways in which we transform the insights and connections we arrive at through exercising our imaginations into social manifestations. Art is the necessary counterpoise to rational discourse. We need both if we are to find the best solutions to achieving sustainable human occupation of this planet. And, just as cultural democracy is at the foundation of any sustainable society, so too, is artistic democracy. We are all creative, and we all have the need, the right, the responsibility and the desire to exercise our creativity.

Jon Hawkes is an independent advisor specialising in cultural issues currently (03-04) in receipt of a Community Cultural Development Board (Australia Council) Fellowship. He is the resident cultural analyst for the Cultural Development Network Inc. for whom he wrote 'The Fourth Pillar of Sustainability: culture's essential role in public planning' (Common Ground, 01). He has been Director of Community Music Victoria since early 01. He was the Director of the Australian Centre of the International Theatre Institute for eight years (91-98), Director of the Community Arts Board of the Australia Council (82-87) and founding member of Circus Oz and the Australian Performing Group (Pram Factory).