CAN SA is an organisation committed to communities. They are committed to providing a diversity of opportunity for communities to grow and develop. They believe that a healthy society is one in which artistic expression, cultural diversity and human rights are valued and explored. Their work is to support and develop community arts. CAN SA is the peak body for community arts and the principal source of community cultural development information, advice and support in South Australia.
Through their programs and practice they endeavour to make a real and sustainable difference to community sectors – such as local government, health, housing, youth and disability – where the use of the arts is an effective community development tool.
CAN SA believes in the following Principles of Community Cultural Development
- A community is defined through a shared sense of identity.
- A community accesses and uses tools to express or represent that identity to itself and others.
- A community develops through actively achieving the expression of shared goals and aspirations.
This is based on principles of Cultural democracy – the right of people to participate in cultural production and create their own cultural practices – and Cultural diversity – the right of people of diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds to express and enjoy their own cultural practices.
CAN SA is a not-for-profit organisation with a membership base.
