Culture encompasses a range of phenomena that are transmitted through social learning in human societies. Culture is expressed through art, music, dance, ritual, religion and technologies through tool usage, cuisine, shelter and clothing. Culture is a way of life. It simply means the way we do things. An integrated pattern of human knowledge, belief, and behaviour. Culture represents the beliefs and practices of a group, while society represents the people who share those beliefs and practices. Neither society nor culture could exist without the other. Culture builds character.
Culture has intrinsic value that provides both social and economic benefits. Through open, honest conversation we improve learning and the health of a society and a nation. With opportunities to come together with others we improve our quality of life and the over-all well- being for both individuals and communities.
For us to get there, we must recognize that each one of us are different. Each one of us have a cultural background and bias. By celebrating culture, we are celebrating our own individuality.
Culture needs to be explored, discussed and enjoyed through conversations. These cultural conversations may take the form of music, dance, drama, literature, performing and creative arts.
Cultures are created through conversations; that is, conversation is the means of human interaction through which cultural characteristics— whether customs, roles, rules, rituals, laws, or other patterns—are created and shared. In a sense, cultures are the "residue" of social conversation.
Conversation and culture reciprocally influence each other. The culture in which individuals are socialized, influences the way they converse, and the way individuals converse can change the culture.
Different cultures have different hierarchies. These layers are explored and understood through conversations. These conversations are complicated, and it is made easier to understand through the cultural arts where differences are narrowed and enjoyed. Culture is understood through conversation and context.
Bringing culture to a wider audience through cultural arts supports who we are – an innovative, vibrant, inclusive democracy where individual creative talent is supported through and by private enterprise.
