Review of the Arts in Canberra
Implementation has begun
Funding was provided in the 2008-09 Budget for a review of the arts in Canberra as Arts Canberra, the ACT Government’s current action statement for the arts, expired at the end of 2008. The timeframe for this statement has been extended until a new ACT Arts Policy Framework is released.
The review included research into best-practice arts policy from around Australia and overseas, as well as working with the local ACT arts community to look at the success of the current policy and its implementation to date. It was both practical and strategic in nature and included consideration of the effectiveness of public sector support to the arts. This included government and statutory authority functioning.
The implementation of a number of recommendations has begun. A summary of the key announcements is as follows:
- Create a new ACT Arts Policy Framework for 2012.
- Refocus the ACT Cultural Council on strategic arts policy.
- Maintain the commitment to peer assessment through the creation of one assessment panel for the ACT Arts Fund (completed).
- Expand streamlined arts grants processes embracing online applications.
- Establish a comprehensive Artists-in-Residence program for the ACT.
- Create opportunities to promote arts activity through utilisation of web-based and new media platforms.
- Strengthen the existing community arts centres in Tuggeranong and Belconnen with additional staff and program resources.
- Establish Arts Hubs to strategically deliver quality arts for the ACT.
- Expand flexibility in delivering direct funding support for artists through expanding quick release support and establishing new and emerging artist categories (completed).
- Maximise investment in business and the arts relationships and expand partnerships with arts organisations, recognising that the arts need to follow business models.
- Expand the focus on data collection, research and development to better understand economic, social and business benefits for investment in the arts, community engagement and participation in arts activity.
- Expand the relationships with the tertiary education sector across arts programs and activity.
- Undertake an audit of all ACT arts facilities and create an ACT Cultural Facilities Plan to best manage existing facilities and for the development of new facilities.
The full ACT Government response can be viewed here
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