How Can Community Music Enhance Place‐Based Efforts to Create Greater Social Equity? Insights From an Australian Cultural Mapping Exercise

ABSTRACT Social inequity is increasing in Australia, often manifesting in entrenched locational disadvantage that requires place‐based responses grounded in local strengths, knowledge and participation. While community music programmes have demonstrated a range of positive social outcomes, their potential contribution to place‐based efforts addressing inequity remains underexplored in social policy and cross‐sector practice. This article examines how community music may enhance place‐based approaches to creating greater social equity in Australian communities. Drawing on a national cultural mapping exercise of 106 programmes across Australia, the study identifies the outcomes most associated with this work. Three interconnected themes emerged: (1) individual and collective well‐being; (2) social connection and community cohesion; and (3) inclusion, accessibility and visibility. Findings demonstrate how community music can strengthen capabilities, foster belonging and social cohesion, amplify marginalised voices and support greater participation in community life. Based on these findings, the article proposes a theory of change that conceptualises community music as a form of social infrastructure that can complement and enhance place‐based initiatives by building the human, social, cultural and civic capacities needed for long‐term change. The article argues for stronger integration of music and cultural participation within place‐based policy and cross‐sector strategies aimed at addressing social inequity.