Arts and Culture Environment - Department of the Environment€¦ · on arts and cultural issues to...

Outcome 1Environment

Outcome 4Arts and Culture

188 | Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts

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Introduction

The Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts provides advice to the Australian Government on arts and cultural policy issues. It works closely with portfolio agencies, other departments, and state and territory agencies to develop and implement national arts and cultural policies and programs.

The National Portrait Gallery increases the understanding and appreciation of the Australian people–their identity, history, creativity and culture–through portraiture.

From 1 July 2008 Old Parliament House became an Executive Agency within the Prime Minister and Cabinet portfolio, separating from the department and the Gallery. This, along with the relocation to its new purpose-built building in late 2008, resulted in changed reporting, support and staffing arrangements for the Gallery.

Main responsibilities for this outcome:

• Developing policy, research and statistics

• Administering legislation and funding

• Supporting the elite national arts training organisations

• Operating the National Portrait Gallery and Artbank

• Working with portfolio agencies to achieve the government’s objectives

• Providing oversight of the National Network, to deliver national Indigenous Arts, Culture, Languages and Broadcasting programs.

Arts Division, Culture Division and the National Portrait Gallery

OUTCOME 4Arts and Culture

Annual Report 2008–2009 | 189

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Highlights• The department successfully staged the

inaugural Prime Minister’s Literary Awards, with Mr Philip Jones and Mr Steven Conte winning the non-fiction and fiction awards, respectively.

• Artbank spent an unprecedented $1 million supporting emerging contemporary artists.

• Through the Cultural Ministers Council, the department drove the development of a national Indigenous Contemporary Music Action Plan. Its pilot project, Breakthrough, is funding five emerging Indigenous groups or musicians to produce broadcast quality recordings.

• Over 500 arts and culture jobs have been created during 2008–09 for Indigenous people previously engaged by Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP) and located in regional and remote areas.

• On 4 December 2008 the National Portrait Gallery opened its new building to the public, allowing more of the collection to be displayed, along with the delivery of enhanced and expanded programs and visitor services.

Lady Ellen Stirling c. 1828 by Thomas Phillips, oil on canvas. Purchased with funds from the Ian Potter Foundation 2008. Collection: National Portrait Gallery, Canberra


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The Prime Minister, the Hon Kevin Rudd MP, and the Minister for Environment, Heritage and the Arts, the Hon Peter Garrett AM MP, with award winners Philip Jones and Steven Conte.

Portrait of Cate Blanchett 2008 by David Rosetzky (b. 1970). Blu-ray digital video, colour, sound, duration 9 minutes, 56 seconds. Choreography by Lucy Guerin, sound design and composition by J David Franzke. National Portrait Gallery, Canberra. Commissioned with funds provided by Ian Darling 2008. © David Rosetzky


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Objectives• Develop policy and advice to the minister

on arts and cultural issues to promote excellence, access, participation and sustainability in the arts and cultural sector.

• Administer a range of programs that support arts and cultural activities including: Artbank, Indigenous arts and craft, broadcasting and language programs, philanthropy, elite arts training and film production.

• Support cultural agencies in the arts, cultural collections and film sectors; assisting them to achieve the government’s objectives and to meet their governance and accountability responsibilities.

• Coordinate Australian Government participation in, and provide secretariat services to, the Cultural Ministers Council which is an intergovernmental forum for ministers and officials responsible for culture and the arts in Australia and New Zealand. Manage a range of collaborative working groups.

• Develop and engage a national audience for the National Portrait Gallery, through exhibitions, education, research, publishing, public programs and online programs.

Results• The Resale Royalty Right for Visual Artists

Bill 2008 was introduced in the House of Representatives on 27 November 2008.

• Bilateral film co-production agreements with Singapore and China entered into force on 16 October 2008 and 19 December 2008, respectively.

• Artbank acquired 347 artworks from 169 artists worth $1,000,608. Of these artists, 129 were new to the collection and 37 were identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders.

• Triennial funding for the Indigenous arts and culture programs was introduced, to commence from 2009–10. Triennial funding will contribute to the further development and strengthening of community organisations involved in Indigenous arts, culture, language, and broadcasting activities.

• Since opening its new building to the public on 4 December 2008, the National Portrait Gallery has staged several major exhibitions and delivered a range of innovative education and public learning programs. Visitor numbers have greatly increased with 447 782 people visiting the Gallery from its opening to 30 June 2009.

• The Gallery acquired 119 portraits for the national portrait collection, produced a range of new printed material and significant publications and enhanced its online presence.

Strategies

Arts Policy

The department continued to develop arts policy to support excellence and access to Australia’s cultural activities, working closely with key bodies such as the Cultural Ministers Council and the Australia Council.

A National Arts and Disability Strategy is being developed with the Cultural Ministers Council. Public consultation was undertaken following


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the release of a discussion paper by the Cultural Ministers Council in October 2008, and more than 115 submissions were received. The Strategy is expected to be finalised in 2009–10.

The Resale Royalty Right for Visual Artists Bill 2008 was introduced in the House of Representatives on 27 November 2008. The legislation and related material aims to establish a resale royalty right and associated scheme for visual artists. This would entitle an artist to a royalty payment when a work of art he or she has created is resold. The Bill was referred to the Standing Committee on Climate Change, Water, Environment and the Arts, to examine the content and structure of the Bill and ensure it meets the objectives set out in the Bill. The Committee’s final report was handed down and the Australian Government’s response to its ten recommendations was tabled in Parliament on 28 May 2009.

The department is developing a Strategic Contemporary Music Industry Plan, as a means to enhance continuing cooperation within the industry. Preliminary consultation was undertaken with government and industry, including an Inter-Agency Working Group and the industry-convened Contemporary Music Working Group. The Strategic Plan is expected to be finalised in 2009–10.

The department initiated a joint research project with the Australia Council, to review the current state of artists’ incomes. The review examined patterns of employment and income levels for artists in Australia. The results of the review will inform further policy developments in this area during 2009–10.

Regional and touring programs

The department’s cultural touring programs continued to provide audiences across Australia, particularly in regional and remote areas, with access to high-quality performing and visual arts and other Australian cultural material. Funding was provided to major organisations, such as The Sydney Dance Company, The Australian Chamber Orchestra, The Australian Ballet and Bell Shakespeare Company. Smaller organisations were also supported, including Hidden Republic, which was funded to perform, promote and celebrate contemporary Australian Indigenous music in six regional venues in Queensland, including Thursday Island.

During 2008–09:

• The Playing Australia program provided $6.06 million for 34 tours. This program provides financial support for the touring of performing arts across Australia.

• The Contemporary Music Touring Program provided $250,000 for 24 tours. This program provides financial support for bands and musical ensembles to tour original live Australian music across Australia.

• The Contemporary Touring Initiative provided funding of $512,000 to five organisations, for the touring costs of five exhibitions of contemporary visual arts and craft.

• The Visions of Australia program provided $2.042 million, for the development and tour expenses of 30 high-quality exhibitions of Australian cultural material. Funding recipients included national and state organisations, as well as small regionally-based organisations. Experimenta Media Arts Inc and d/Lux/MediaArts, organisations focusing on new media art, also received funding.


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Regional cultural touring Programs: number of metropolitan (M) and regional (R) locations visited by touring exhibitions and productions in 2008–09 Program ACT NSW VIC SA QLD NT WA TAS

M R M R M R M R M R M R M R M R

Contemporary Music Touring program

13 0 1 85 2 33 0 12 2 24 0 14 0 42 0 8

Playing Australia

7 0 28 154 27 129 0 19 7 90 0 15 0 84 3 5

Visions of Australia

7 0 9 53 14 11 8 6 9 22 2 3 3 22 4 1

Contemporary Touring Initiative

1 0 5 10 3 3 2 3 2 12 0 2 1 0 2 1

Regional and touring program statistics 2008–09 Contemporary

Touring Initiative

Playing Australia

Contemporary Music Touring

Program

Festivals Australia


Number of funded/administered activities

5 34 24 85 30

% of applications processed within target timeframe

100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

% of payments on time 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

% of funding agreements acquitted

100% 67% 95% 96% 100%


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Festivals Australia

The Festivals Australia program assists the presentation of arts and cultural activities at Australian regional and community festivals. The emphasis is on supporting new projects which add to the quality and diversity of the arts and cultural programming of festivals. In 2008–09 Festivals Australia supported 66 new arts and/or cultural projects at established regional and community festivals, totalling $879,390 in funding.

Regional Arts Fund

In the 2008–09 Budget, the Australian Government announced funding of $11.8 million over four years, from 2008–09 to 2011–12. This funding enables ongoing cultural development in regional and remote Australia, and assistance for the professional skills development of regional artists.

Indigenous arts and culture programs

The department’s Indigenous arts and culture programs are delivered through a National Network, located throughout Australia in Indigenous Coordination Centres. The Network continued to focus on cross-government program delivery, identifying opportunities to participate in strategic initiatives under: broadcasting, language and arts and culture Indigenous programs.

The Maintenance of Indigenous Languages and Records program supported 69 projects across Australia, totalling $8.892 million, and incorporating about 200 languages.

• The Indigenous Culture Support program supported 140 projects, totalling $6.928 million.

• The National Arts and Crafts Industry Support program provided $8.23 million for 87 activities; including the provision of operational support for Indigenous art centres and Indigenous visual art peak bodies. This funding includes $2 million, as part of the $7.6 million increase to the program over four years, from 2007–08.

• The Indigenous Broadcasting program supported 71 activities nationally, worth $13.926 million. Funding of $15.081 million was allocated to the National Indigenous Television (NITV) service. NITV will be reviewed in 2009–10.

• Since its establishment, the Return of Indigenous Cultural Property Program, which is managed by the department on behalf of the Cultural Ministers Council, has supported the return of more than 1383 ancestral remains and 1358 secret sacred objects, to Indigenous communities.

2008–09 Indigenous Remote Radio Replacement (IRRR)

Under the IRRR program, the Australian Government provided $3.3 million over three years to 2008–09, to replace ageing radio infrastructure for Remote Indigenous Broadcasting Services. Most organisations are located in very remote areas of Australia and the Torres Strait Islands, where they often provide the only locally relevant news and community information in their communities.


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Negotiations to extend the IRRR program and expand the number of services receiving equipment upgrades were successful, as substantial savings were achieved through the bulk purchase of equipment. This has enabled the program to continue until December 2010. Additional services will be upgraded as a result.

Philanthropic support

The department encourages and facilitates sponsorship and philanthropic support for the cultural sector, through the delivery of the Register of Cultural Organisations, the Cultural Gifts Program and the funding of the Australia Business Arts Foundation (AbaF).

The tables below show the number and value of gifts made to organisations on the Register of Cultural Organisations, and gifts made through the Cultural Gifts Program, over the last five years.

Community language workers in far west SA introduce primary school students to local language Wirangu, being revived with assistance from the department’s MILR program. Photo: 2008, Scotdesco Community

AbaF promotes private sector support through its partnering, volunteering and giving programs. It was reviewed in 2008–09.

Register of Cultural Organisations – number and value of donations received* 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09

Number of donations 73 295 89 730 107 518 150 980 135 667

Total value ($m)** 38.2 46.6 60.7 63.5 60.0

Average value ($) 521 519 564 420 442

Notes: * Includes contributions from individuals, business, and charitable trusts/foundations. ** The number and value of donations received for these financial years may increase, as further statistical returns are received

from registered cultural organisations.

Cultural Gifts Program – number and value of donations processed* 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09

Number of donations processed 651 615 596 617 652

Total value ($m) 47.2 28.9 33.4 43.2 82.9

Note: * Donations entered into the department’s database and assessed by the Committee on Taxation Incentives for the Arts


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Art Indemnity Australia

During 2008–09 Art Indemnity Australia indemnified the following exhibitions:

• Turner to Monet: the triumph of landscape.

• Picasso and his collection.

• Degas: Master of French Art.

• American Impressionism and Realism: A Landmark exhibition from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

Exhibitions were displayed in Canberra and Brisbane.

National collecting institutions

The department continued to support the national collecting institutions in meeting their governance and accountability responsibilities. At the beginning of 2008–09 the National Film and Sound Archive was established as a national collecting institution. In collaboration with the Heads of Collecting Institutions forum, the department contributed to a number of initiatives, including guidelines for best practice in collecting cultural material, published in June 2009.

The department supported three regional programs managed by the national collecting institutions. In 2008–09, $80,000 was provided to support the Maritime Museums of Australia Project Support Scheme, managed by the Australian National Maritime Museum. The Community Heritage Grants program, managed by the National Library of Australia, was provided with $450 000. Support of $60,400 was provided to the Museums Australia 2009 National Conference, to support

Indigenous, regional and remote bursaries and conference speakers.

Support for the Bundanon Trust continued, with funding of $1.552 million in 2008–09, for operating, capital maintenance and preservation costs.

Arts training organisations

Seven national performing arts training organisations were supported through the Australian Government’s Cultural Development Program. The following organisations received operational funding totalling $14.994 million:

• Australian Ballet School (ABS).

• Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM).

• Australian Youth Orchestra (AYO).

• Flying Fruit Fly Circus (FFFC).

• National Aboriginal and Islander Skills Development Association (NAISDA)

• National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA).

• National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA).

Operational funding provided to ANAM included a one-off amount of $0.5 million to assist with the development of an enhanced training program.

Cultural Diplomacy

The department contributed to the Australian Government’s cultural diplomacy strategy, through its work with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and, in particular, through its involvement in the Australia International Cultural Council (AICC). The AICC is Australia’s key cultural


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diplomacy body, comprising leaders from government, the arts and business, with a common interest in promoting Australia abroad through the arts and culture. The AICC met on 9 February 2009, co-chaired for the first time by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, the Hon Peter Garrett AM MP and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Stephen Smith MP. The meeting achieved agreement on AICC’s:

• regional priorities (in priority order) Asia, South Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and the Americas and Western Europe

• focus countries: the Republic of Korea in 2011 and India in 2012, in addition to the previously agreed focus countries of USA in 2009, and China in 2010, and

Educational Lending Right payments

Year of paymentNew claimants

receiving payments Creators PublishersTotal payments

($m)

2006–07 365 9887 374 $10.438

2007–08 372 10 275 383 $10.469

2008–09 320 10 385 394 $10.709

Public Lending Right payments

Year of paymentNew claimants

receiving payments Creators PublishersTotal payments

($m)

2006–07 380 8525 341 $7.091

2007–08 376 8575 363 $7.646

2008–09 385 8511 365 $8.155

• exploring the feasibility and potential costs of focus country programs for Africa and Latin America in 2013 and 2014.

The department continued to collaborate with DFAT on the development of the cultural program for Shanghai Expo 2010 and the 2010 focus country program in China in 2010–11.

In March 2009, the department signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Cultural Heritage Administration of the Republic of Korea. The aim of the MOU is to facilitate cooperation on cultural heritage matters.


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Educational Lending Right and Public Lending Right

The Educational Lending Right (ELR) and Public Lending Right (PLR) programs provide payments to eligible Australian creators (authors, editors, illustrators, translators and compilers) and publishers, whose books are held in educational and public lending libraries. Both programs support the enrichment of Australian culture by encouraging the growth and development of Australian writing and publishing.

In 2008–09, 768 new claimants registered with the ELR program, of which 320 received a payment. For PLR, there were 758 new claimants registered, with 385 receiving a payment. In the ELR program, 40 638 books registered received a payment in 2008–09, while 23 068 books were registered with the PLR program.

Artbank

Artbank continued to provide direct support to Australian artists through the acquisition, promotion and rental of artworks by Australian artists and craftspeople. The expanding Artbank collection is currently valued at approximately $35 million. It comprises nearly 10 000 works in a variety of styles and media by some 3000 artists, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous. Forming a major public arts access resource, artworks from the Artbank collection are rented by nearly 700 private, commercial and government clients, as well as Australian embassies and high commissions around the world.

Film and Creative Industries

During 2008–09 the department assisted the two new agencies, Screen Australia and the National Film and Sound Archive, in their first year of operations since the Australian Screen Media Support Package was introduced in 2007–08. The Australian Film, Television and Radio School also completed its first year of operations, in its new state-of-the-art purpose-built facility at the Moore Park Entertainment Quarter in Sydney.

The department administered film tax offset programs that provide incentives for large budget film and television productions to locate in Australia and encourage post, digital and visual effect (PDV) production in Australia. It also continued administering the phase-out of the 10B and 10BA film tax incentive schemes. The department administered the foreign actor certification scheme and the government’s funding agreements with the Australian Children’s Television Foundation and Ausfilm.

Negotiation of a film co-production agreement with South Africa and the renegotiation of the Australia-United Kingdom co-production agreement were ongoing.

The department assisted with the establishment of the Creative Industries Innovation Centre at the University of Technology Sydney. The Centre was jointly launched by the Hon Peter Garrett AM MP, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, and Senator the Hon Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, in Sydney on 17 February 2009.


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The Culture Portal provided online access to Australian culture websites from all levels of government and the non-government sector. It is the premier online access point for Australian culture. Audience reach is now over 5 million visitors.

The Collections Australia Network (CAN) is an online resource providing access to Australia ‘s collecting institutions and their collections and a collaborative initiative of the Cultural Ministers Council. During 2008–09 CAN received 185 321 visitors and added 91 new partners.

National Portrait Gallery

Opening celebrations

A program of special events was staged to celebrate the opening of the Gallery building. Activities for families, children and young people included a gallery based drawing program to encourage active viewing, a trial to support the interpretation of the collection and activities that encourage participation by visitors of all ages.

In conjunction with the opening the sell out Annual Lecture by Rolf Harris AM OBE was enthusiastically received.

In all the Festival of the Face opening weekend celebrations on 6 and 7 December 2008 attracted more that 10,000 people.

Major exhibitions

From 4 December 2008, the National Portrait Gallery staged five major exhibitions:

• The Inaugural Hang (3 December 2008–1 March 2009).

• My Favourite Australian (3 December 2008–1 March 2009).

• Open Air–Portraits and Landscape (3 December 2008–1 March 2009).

• The National Photographic Portrait Prize 2009 (20 March–24 May 2009).

• Vanity Fair Portraits: Photographs 1914–2007 (12 June–30 August 2009).

2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09

10BA provisional applications 214 351 250 664 80 0

10BA final applications 95 69 67 62 90 58

10B applications 63 58 74 165 15 0

Tax offset provisional applications 2 1 1 0 0 1

Tax offset final applications 5 5 6 3 7 9

Foreign actors certified 120 167 114 154 137 103


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Collection development

The Gallery acquired 119 portraits in 2008–09 through donation, purchase and commission. Significant acquisitions included:

• A portrait of Lady Ellen Stirling (c.1828), by Thomas Phillips.

• A portrait of boxer Lionel Rose (1968), by Indigenous photographer Mervin Bishop.

• A portrait of Sir Donald Bradman (1990), by Bill Leak, donated by L Gordon Darling AC CMG.

Education, public and online programs

The planned expansion of education programs was realised with Portrait School, a suite of 49 formal learning programs designed for students from preschool to tertiary level. Education programs attracted a wide range of schools and year levels, with increased visitation from local schools and a new audience from interstate schools. The Gallery delivered a wide range of well attended public learning programs, for families, children and adult lifelong learners, using various interpretive methods and tools. A digital storytelling project, supported by a donation, was developed and piloted in the Northern Territory in May 2009. The Gallery also produced a presentation of its identity and values online, at www.portrait.gov.au, including a new structure and branding.

Evaluation

Indigenous Broadcasting Program (IBP)

In May 2009, reviews were finalised for Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Media

Association Aboriginal Corporation (PY Media) and The Aboriginal Program Exchange (TAPE), for a total amount of $77,611. Both reviews reported on: the effectiveness of service delivery and value for money; operational capacity; financial management processes and financial viability; the appropriateness of the organisation’s structure, resources and governance; and any current or emerging issues requiring attention.

The department is working with both PY Media and TAPE, and will reflect the review findings in 2009–10 Program Funding Agreements.

Film

A review conducted by the Department of the Treasury, to examine the effect of the film tax offsets on the levels of domestic television broadcaster and independent production, was completed in April 2009. The review found that it is too early to draw any significant conclusions on the effect of the tax offsets on the levels and source of Australian television production, due to the short time the offsets have been in operation.

Australian Business Arts Foundation (AbaF)

A review of AbaF was undertaken during the year, in accordance with the Government’s 2007 election commitment to examine options for AbaF’s future, including a possible merger between AbaF and the Australia Council. The review was undertaken by independent consultants, McGrathNicol, who found that AbaF was operating on an appropriate, effective and efficient basis. In December 2008 the minister announced the findings of


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the review and the government’s decision to maintain current administrative and governance arrangements for AbaF.

National Arts and Crafts Industry Support (NACIS)

A draft report, prepared by the Office of Evaluation and Audit (OEA) into the National Arts and Crafts Industry Support (NACIS) program, was provided to the department in April 2009. OEA consulted with NACIS stakeholders, including: staff and artists from Indigenous arts centres; galleries distributing Indigenous art, peak industry bodies; and NACIS program administrators. The final OEA report will be submitted to the Minister for Finance and Deregulation in 2009–10.

National Portrait Gallery

In March 2009 a market research firm undertook a qualitative evaluation of visitor experience of the Gallery’s programs and activities. Overall, more than 90 per cent of those surveyed had a positive experience. The Gallery has worked to improve identified shortfalls, including general wayfinding, directional and informational signage and parking.

A structured ongoing in-house visitor evaluation program commenced, with initial results planned to be available in late 2009, with further independent targeted qualitative evaluations planned for 2009–10.


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rts and Culture Established in 1964, the Australian Ballet

School has an international reputation for its vocational, classical, dance training program. Graduates of the School can be found as principals and soloists in The Australian Ballet, and in many of the world’s premier dance companies.

The Australian Government has directly supported the School since 1989, and, in 2008–09, provided $1.133 million towards its operations. Prior to 1989 the School was supported through the Elizabethan Trust and later the Australia Council.

In 2009 the School has been celebrating its 45th year in style. Earlier this year, student Hannah O’Neil became the first Australian student to win the Prix de Lausanne, one of the world’s most prestigious classical ballet competitions. Almost simultaneously, the School completed an upgrade of its facilities and, for the first time, offered its fourth year of training on a full-time basis, aligning it with years five to eight. The School’s improved facilities, and the expanded fourth year program, have resulted in a record enrolment in 2009 of 160 students.

In 2007–08, the Australian Government committed up to $4.6 million, for the School to plan for the proposed expansion of its training program and to refurbish its

facilities to address occupational health and safety concerns.

The refurbishment was completed on time and with notable economy and efficiency, with the project coming in under budget. It included upgrading training studios, expanding and updating student change rooms, and developing new classrooms and health areas.

The School celebrated its 45th birthday in April 2009, at which time the minister officially opened the refurbished facilities.

The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, the Hon Peter Garrett AM MP, and Level 6 students at the official launch of the Australian Ballet School’s refurbished training facilities. Photo: Sergey Konstantinov, 2009, courtesy Australian Ballet School

Case studies

Case study 1: Australian Ballet School


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Named after the traditional owners of the inner-Sydney area, the Gadigal people, Gadigal Information Service grew out of a need for an Aboriginal owned, controlled and operated media organisation. Established in 1993, Gadigal Information Service takes great pride in empowering Sydney’s Indigenous peoples and communities, through:

• providing a community based media, arts and information service for the Indigenous community in Sydney, which is home to Australia’s largest Indigenous population

• providing employment and training opportunities

Case study 2: Indigenous Broadcasting Program: Gadigal Information Service

Koori Radio’s new media complex in Redfern. Photo: Michelle Blakeney, 2009, courtesy of Gadigal Information


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• the engagement of Indigenous peoples at all levels of decision-making within, and on behalf of, the organisation, and

• offering effective and efficient services.

As an Indigenous arts/media organisation, Gadigal Information Service is committed to the development and promotion of Indigenous cultures. Gadigal Information Service provides this on a daily basis by means of its broadcast service, Koori Radio 93.7FM which has been funded by the department since 1998. Situated in Redfern, Koori Radio broadcasts out of the recently redeveloped media complex, the Black Theatre.

The Indigenous Broadcasting Program contributed $250,000 as part of a $7 million Shared Responsibility Agreement (SRA), to redevelop the Black Theatre site into a state-of-the-art Indigenous media complex. The contribution facilitated the acquisition of new equipment and the fit-out of the new radio station. The SRA has also

encouraged younger Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to enter the field of broadcasting, media and communications. As a result, Gadigal Information Service strengthened the identity of Koori Radio and developed fresh projects and events in its new premises, which have provided an essential space for Indigenous arts and media in Sydney.

DEWHA has also provided funding to support the Yabun Festival, through the Indigenous Culture Support program, which is run by Gadigal Information Service. The Yabun Festival is an Indigenous and non-Indigenous celebration of Aboriginal survival and culture in Sydney and surrounding areas, held on 26 January each year.


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Playing Australia is the Australian Government’s national touring program for the performing arts, enabling acts of a high standard to tour regional and remote centres and communities across the country. The program recently provided Tura New Music with a $131,900 grant, for a tour of Crossing Roper Bar by the Australian Art Orchestra.

The Roper Bar story is one of a truly cross-cultural experience. The Roper River is a magnificent waterway, flowing from Mataranka in the Northern Territory, 100kms south of Katherine, across the land of the Mangarayi and Yungman people. The water, before reaching the Gulf of

Carpentaria, passes through the remote town of Ngukurr in Arnhem Land, which is isolated for several months when the Roper engulfs the land. At other times, the Roper Bar is the point where it is possible to cross the river to Ngukurr. This was seen as a fitting metaphor for the collaboration between the Australian Art Orchestra and the Wagilak Gujarra/Nyilapidgi artists, which resulted in the performance of Crossing Roper Bar.

The Crossing Roper Bar 2008 tour consisted of eight members of the Australian Art Orchestra and eight Ngukurr artists. Throughout August and September 2008 the tour visited locations in Darwin,

Case study 3: Playing Australia Program: Crossing Roper Bar

Crossing Roper Bar performance–Artistic Director Paul Grabowsky, the young Wagilak group, members of AAO and Ruby Hunter at the Perth Concert Hall. Photo: Bohdan Warchomij, 2008 at the Perth Concert


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Katherine, Kunnunurra, Warmun, Fitzroy Crossing, Broome, Beagle Bay, Djarindjin, One Arm Point and Perth. Paul Grabowski’s Australian Art Orchestra, the musicians of Ngukurr and the celebrated Indigenous artist, Ruby Hunter, all collaborated to produce the Crossing Roper Bar tour. The collaboration created a concert program featuring traditional Wagilak song, jazz and classical music, and the voice of Ruby Hunter. School workshops also extended the collaborative experience to young audiences. It was an electrifying mix of the very old and the very new; a collaboration of country, ceremony and the power of music to build enduring bridges across cultures.

The provision of funding for this tour demonstrates the importance of Playing Australia in supporting collaborations between traditional and non-traditional,

remote-based artists and performing arts producers. Mr Tos Mahoney, Chief Executive Officer and Artistic Director of Tura New Music, noted that:

“Playing Australia’s involvement was critical to the viability of the tour. There is no doubt that once Playing Australia funding was confirmed, this paved the way for the other funding bodies and sponsors to commit to the tour”.

Crossing Roper Bar was first performed at the Northern Territory’s Garma Festival, which is Australia’s most significant cultural exchange event. The department’s Indigenous Culture Support program has provided a total of $147,500 since 2003 to the Yothu Yindi Foundation to support the Garma Festival, which created a launching pad for Crossing Roper Bar’s national tour.


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Since its first exhibition in 1994 entitled About Face: Aspects of Australian Portraiture 1770–1993, the National Portrait Gallery had operated from its location within Old Parliament House. With encouragement from the Gallery’s Board, the government initiated a design process in early 2005, and ultimately committed $87.8 million to build a new purpose-built building for the National Portrait Gallery.

Designed by Sydney architects Johnson Pilton Walker and constructed by the John Holland Group, the Gallery’s building was delivered by the Department of Finance and Deregulation on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts.

The primary objective of the new building, which was to create an art museum of outstanding quality that accords with international standards and which reflects the purpose and vision of the Gallery, has been achieved.

The building is open, accessible and inviting, with a rich diversity of public spaces, which are on a single level. Detailed landscaping, close to the building, utilises species typical of all climatic regions of Australia. Materials and finishes have been selected that are representative of the unique natural resources of the Australian states and territories. Stone, timber and concrete are detailed, to

showcase the ingenuity, creativity and craft of Australian tradespeople.

The Gallery’s new home was officially opened by the Prime Minister, the Hon Kevin Rudd MP, on 3 December 2008.

The building has enabled the Gallery to display a substantial part of its collection, present enhanced and expanded programs and visitor services, and increase its revenue through commercial operations (membership, venue hire and licence fees).

The Inaugural Hang includes portraits of individuals and groups collectively reflecting stories about the development of Australia’s society and culture. These stories include: exploration and navigation; European settlement and encounters with Indigenous peoples; the flowering of European-Australian arts and culture; modern civic life; the vibrancy of the 1960s and 1970s; and contemporary sport, music and creative arts. The inaugural display of portraits from the collection included: traditional oil paintings such as John Webber’s commanding portrait of Captain James Cook, painted in 1782; and contemporary portraits in painting, photography and new media, of subjects including Nick Cave, David Gulpilil and Layne Beachley.

The Gallery commissioned a range of works for the building’s opening, including: David Rosetsky’s video portrait of actress Cate Blanchett; Scott Redford’s portrait of

Case Study 4: New building for the National Portrait Gallery


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motorcyclist Casey Stoner; Petrina Hicks’ portrait of surfer Layne Beachley; and Matthys Gerber’s triptych of cyclists Stuart O’Grady, Cadel Evans and Robbie McEwen.

The building has been an overwhelming success with the visiting public. Between 4 December 2008 and 30 June 2009, 447 782 people have visited

the Gallery’s new home (average daily attendance of 2083).

The Gallery is the youngest of Australia’s national cultural institutions and now, proudly, occupies the most significant building to be constructed in the Parliamentary precinct in over 20 years.

Top: Evening in the Sculpture Gallery. Photo: Brett Boardman. Courtesy of the National Portrait Gallery

Above: Visitors enjoying the permanent collection display. Photo: Brett Boardman. Courtesy of the National Portrait Gallery


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Results for performance indicators

Output Group 4.1: Policy advice, program management and agency support, which promotes excellence in, preservation and maintenance of, and access to, Australia’s cultural activities, national cultural collections and buildings, and Indigenous languagesPerformance Indicator Target 2008–09 results

Promotion and access to Regional Cultural Activities, including touring programs (Visions of Australia, Contemporary Touring Initiative, Playing Australia, Contemporary Music Touring Program), and cultural development programs (Festivals Australia and Regional Arts Fund), as measured by number and type of funded performances/exhibitions/events reported by state/territory and by metropolitan/regional/remote categories

Access to high quality cultural experiences, particularly in regional and remote areas, is maintained or increased


The program funded 30 exhibitions in 2008–09 (9 for development and 21 for touring). Exhibition projects funded will tour to 174 venues nationally, 118 of these venues being in regional and remote locations.

NSW (62 venues) VIC (25 venues) ACT (7 venues) NT (5 venues) QLD (31 venues) SA (14 venues) TAS (5 venues) WA (25 venues)

Contemporary Touring Initiative

The program funded five exhibitions in 2008–09. Exhibition projects funded will tour to 47 venues nationally, 31 of those venues being in regional locations

NSW (15 venues) VIC (6 venues) ACT (1 venue) NT (2 venues) QLD (14 venues) SA (5 venues) TAS (3 venues) WA (1 venue)


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Playing Australia

This program funded 34 performing arts tours in 2008–09. Funded tours have made, or will make, 702 venue visits nationally, with 497 of these visits being in regional and remote locations.


Contemporary Music Touring Program

This program funded 24 proposed music tours in 2008–09, to 357 venues nationally, of which 218 were in regional and remote locations.



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Festivals Australia

This program funded 66 festival projects nationally in 2008–09, of which 52 are regional, 10 are remote and 4 are in metropolitan locations:

NSW (11 projects) VIC (17 projects) ACT (0) NT (9 projects) QLD (16 projects) SA (6 projects) TAS (3 projects) WA (4 projects)

Regional Arts Fund

This program provided devolved funding to state Regional Arts Organisations and the arts ministries in the territories, which funded 97 projects nationally, in 2008–09.

NSW (28 projects) VIC (5 projects) ACT (0 projects) NT (3 projects) QLD (5 projects) SA (31 projects) TAS (11 projects) WA (14 projects)

Encouraging the development of Australian writing and publishing, as measured by the number of payments to creators and publishers for Public and Educational Lending Right programs

Access to Australian books in public and educational libraries is maintained or increased

The Educational Lending Right (ELR) and Public Lending Right (PLR) programs provide payments to eligible Australian creators and publishers whose books are held in educational and public lending libraries. Approximately 106 000 books are now registered with the programs. The number of claimants receiving an ELR payment in 2008–09 was 10 779 and 8876 claimants received a payment from PLR.

There is a slight increase in claimants receiving payments under the ELR program. The claimant numbers for PLR remain comparatively stable.


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Recognise the contribution of Australian writers to Australian society through the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards, as measured by the satisfaction of stakeholders with awards processes and related events, and sales of shortlisted and winning titles

The profile of Australian writing in the Australian community is raised with an increase in the level of sales of shortlisted and winning titles

The inaugural Prime Minister’s Literary Awards were announced on 12 September 2008, at Parliament House.

A survey of key stakeholders indicated overall satisfaction with organisation of the event and access to promotional material. Suggested improvements to the process were incorporated into the 2009 Awards.

Applications for the 2009 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards closed on 20 March 2009. Over 254 books were entered for the Awards, an increase of 64 over the inaugural year.

Efficient and timely administration of funding agreements and reporting arrangements for Arts related Commonwealth and Public Companies

Funded companies meet their objectives and reporting requirements

The funding agreements and reporting arrangements for all Arts related Commonwealth and Public Companies, have been administered in an efficient and timely manner, consistent with legislative and contractual requirements.

The Australia Business Arts Foundation (AbaF) met its reporting requirements under the 2008–09 funding agreement. It exceeded a number of targets, including: the number of business arts partnerships developed; the number of attendees at AbaF’s professional development workshops and seminars; and the number of donations made to AbaF’s Australia Cultural Fund.

The Bundanon Trust met all its reporting requirements for 2008–09, set out in the new funding deed for the period 2007–08 to 2010–11.

The Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF) continued its role of supporting the development and production of high quality television programs for children. The ACTF met all its reporting requirements for 2008–09.


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Australians have wide access to exhibitions of significant Australian and international cultural material, as measured by number, value, geographic spread and attendance figures, for indemnified exhibitions supported by Art Indemnity Australia

The Art Indemnity Australia program achieves an equitable geographic spread of exhibitions over time

Two new exhibitions received indemnity under the Arts Indemnity Australia (AIA) program in 2008–09. AIA indemnified exhibitions were displayed in two states. It indemnified $1.915 billion of works in 2008–09. AIA indemnified exhibitions were attended by 359 613 visitors in 2008–09.

The value and uniqueness of Australia’s Indigenous cultures is recognised and supported by Indigenous Broadcasting, Culture, Languages and Arts programs, as measured by the number and type of activities supported and the impact of support

Diversity of Indigenous arts and cultural projects supported is maintained or increased

Access for Indigenous people to Indigenous broadcasting services is maintained or increased

The Indigenous Art and Culture Programs are part of the Australian Government’s Whole of Government Indigenous funding round, coordinated by the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. The department assessed and managed applications within the whole of government timeframe and entered into funding agreements with recipients of funding.

Maintenance of Indigenous Languages and Records (MILR)

69 MILR projects were funded in 2008–09, to assist a range of projects, including: the operation of language centres; the documentation and recording of language; the development of language resources and activities to increase the awareness and appreciation of Indigenous languages. In 2008–09, the MILR program supported about 200 Indigenous languages.

Indigenous Culture Support (ICS)

In 2008–09, 140 ICS projects were funded, to assist a range of activities, including: cultural centres; teaching of cultural traditions across generations; cultural camps; art and craft production; dance and music festivals; and multi-media cultural productions.


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National Arts and Crafts Industry Support (NACIS) program

In 2008–09, NACIS supported 87 activities across Australia. This included the operation of 78 Indigenous art centres and arts advocacy organisations. Of these, 61 organisations were located in remote and very remote areas. These organisations play a valuable role in supporting and developing professional Indigenous visual arts practice, thus enhancing economic opportunities.

The number of funded organisations increased by 16% from 2007–08.

Indigenous Broadcasting Program (IBP)

Nationally, 71 IBP projects were approved for funding. These projects improve Indigenous broadcasting operations, so that local broadcasters are able to support traditional language and culture, and contribute to community cohesion. They also assist in promoting the maintenance of cultural communication links within, and between, Indigenous communities.

Northern Territory Jobs package

Under this initiative, 225 jobs were funded. These positions provide Indigenous Australians with increased economic independence and career pathways. They also support the administration of arts, language, broadcasting and cultural organisations in the Northern Territory. Funding for this initiative is administered through Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FAHCSIA).

Cape York Welfare Reform Trial

Eight jobs were funded by the department in four remote communities in Cape York. These jobs provide sustainable, ongoing employment opportunities for Indigenous people and support the delivery of the government’s Indigenous Arts and Culture programs.


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Arts Training Organisations have a reputation for providing quality training to equip Australians for a range of roles, including performance, design and production, as measured by the level of demand for training

The level of demand for training by Arts Training Organisations is maintained

At the beginning of the 2009 academic year, 1050 students were enrolled in the national arts training organisations. This includes 495 young participants in Australian Youth Orchestra’s 2009 programs.

Demand for training continues to be high and was greater than the places available, which ensures that the very best applicants are selected. For example, for its 2009 intake the National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA) received 1688 applications (an 8.5% increase over applications for 2008), but only 60 places were offered.

The quality of the training provided by each organisation is recognised both nationally and internationally. For example, in early 2009, an Australian Ballet School (ABS) student won the prestigious Prix de Lausanne and a 2006 NICA graduate won gold at the 30th Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain in Paris.

Many graduates find work in their chosen field, both nationally and internationally. For example: AYO alumni perform with professional orchestras, including the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Camerata Australia, Berlin Philharmonic and Hong Kong Philharmonic; AYO alumni have performed at international festivals in New York, Denmark, Canada and Italy; ABS graduates are contracted to leading ballet companies in Australia and overseas; and graduates of the NIDA can be found around the world, contributing to film, theatre and television and are regularly nominees and recipients of industry awards.


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Development of, and access to, the national portrait collection, programs, exhibitions and other activities

Growth and maintenance of the national portrait collection and/or notable major acquisitions

The Gallery continued to develop the national portrait collection. During the year 119 works of art were acquired, with 1606 items in the collection at 30 June 2009. Overall, 90% of Gallery visitors had a positive experience.

Qualitative evaluation, citing adherence to relevant legislative requirements and approved organisational plans and policies

The Gallery satisfied its legislative and policy obligations Five major exhibitions were staged, which included the inaugural hang in the new building.

Number of visitors, attendance at exhibitions, events and public programs and use of online programs

Note: performance indicators adjusted to reflect the separation from Old Parliament House

Between 4 December 2008 and 30 June 2009, 447 782 people visited the Gallery in Canberra; 6423 students (153 schools) participated in education programs; and 1822 people participated in public programs and events. A total of 1 834 301 people accessed the Gallery’s online presence.

To improve access to collection displays, general programs and events an admission fee is not charged.

Note: an admission fee was applied to some special exhibitions and programs.


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Resources

Output Group 4.1 – Policy advice, program management and agency supportAdministered items Budget

2008-09 $’000

(a)

Actual Expenses 2008-09

$’000 (b)

Variation $’000

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Appropriation Bill 1

Cultural Development Programme 56,870 56,006 864

Indigenous Arts and Culture 24,001 23,706 295

NIDA Depreciation 1,714 1,884 (170)

Screen Australia 60,500 60,500 –

Art Indemnity Australia 3,834 1,751 2,083

Indigenous Broadcasting 14,244 13,886 358

Connect Australia – Backing Indigenious Ability 15,881 15,881 –

Public Lending Right 9,029 8,257 772

Educational Lending Right 10,709 10,680 29

A creative Australia – Prime Ministers Literary Award 400 200 200

Books Alive 2,000 2,000 –

NT Flexible Funding Pool – 3,748 (3,748)

Cape York Welfare Relief – 64 (64)

Special Accounts

National Portrait Gallery (Departmental) 1,040 774 266

Art Rental (Departmental) 3,766 3,725 41

Cultural Ministers Council (Departmental) 1,148 216 932

National Collections (Departmental) 888 867 21

Return of Indigenous Cultural Property (Departmental) 1,800 976 824

Departmental Outputs

Policy Advice, program management and agency support 46,950 50,497 (3,547)

Subtotal for Output Group 4.1 254,774 255,619 (845)

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