Review of the Arts in Canberra - Community Consultation - Final Report by Peter Loxton

8/9/2019 Review of the Arts in Canberra - Community Consultation - Final Report by Peter Loxton

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Prepared by:Peter Loxton and Timothy Loxton,Peter Loxton & Associates Pty LtdGreenwich, Sydney.June 2010

Report

Review of the Arts in Canberra

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1. BACKGROUND ...................................................................................................5

2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY......................................................................................6

3. CONTEXT...........................................................................................................13

3.1Canberra: Brief History, Location and Population .................................................... 13

3.2ACT Government - Territory and Local Responsibilities .......................................... 13

4. CURRENT ARTS LANDSCAPE........................................................................14

4.1 Arts Activities............................................................................................................ 14

4.2 Arts Organisations.................................................................................................... 16

4.3 Arts Facilities ............................................................................................................ 17

4.4 Funding .................................................................................................................... 19

5. CONSULTATIONS SUMMARY .........................................................................20

6. ISSUES, POLICY DIRECTIONS AND DELIVERY ............................................25

6.1 Government ............................................................................................................. 25

6.1.1 Arts, Culture and Heritage What Role for Government?................................ 25

6.1.2 Australian Government, Other Jurisdictions and Policy Alignment................... 28

6.1.3 Chief Minister, Minister for the Arts and Heritage ............................................. 31

6.1.4 Chief Ministers Department (CMD), Other ACT Agenciesand Whole-of-Government ......................................................................................... 33

6.2 ACT Government Arts Policy Review ...................................................................... 36

6.3 artsACT .................................................................................................................... 43

6.4 Major ACT Arts Bodies............................................................................................. 47

6.4.1 Cultural Council (CC) ........................................................................................ 47

6.4.2 Cultural Facilities Corporation (CFC) ................................................................ 49

6.4.3 Heritage and Proposed Historic Properties Trust (HPT) .................................. 54

6.5 Arts Organisations.................................................................................................... 57

Contents

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6.6 Professional Artists .................................................................................................. 63

6.6.1 Established Artists............................................................................................. 67

6.6.2 Emerging Artists ................................................................................................ 69

6.6.3 Artists in Residence .......................................................................................... 73

6.7 Community Participation in the Arts ......................................................................... 76

6.8 Public Art ................................................................................................................. 80

6.9 Venues and Facilities .............................................................................................. 83

6.10 Cultural Facilities Planning..................................................................................... 88

6.11 Governance............................................................................................................ 91

6.12 Data and Research ................................................................................................ 94

6.13 Communication, Marketing and Promotion............................................................ 96

6.14 Universities............................................................................................................. 98

6.14.1 Australian National University (ANU) .............................................................. 98

6.14.2 University of Canberra (UC).......................................................................... 101

6.15 National Cultural Institutions ............................................................................... 103

6.16 Diversity .............................................................................................................. 105

6.17 Indigenous Arts .................................................................................................... 108

6.18 Accessibility.......................................................................................................... 113

6.19 Arts and Education .............................................................................................. 115

6.20 Arts, Health and Social Development .................................................................. 118

6.21 Arts Innovation and Economic Development ...................................................... 120

6.22 Arts and Environmental Sustainability.................................................................. 123

6.23 The Public ........................................................................................................... 125


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7. FUNDING .........................................................................................................127

7.1 Arts Budget Reflecting Policy Priorities.................................................................. 128

7.2 Funding Categories, Processes and Decisions ..................................................... 134

7.3 Future Funding Priorities ........................................................................................ 140

7.4 Funding Sources Partnerships, Sponsorship and Philanthropy.......................... 147

8. RECOMMENDATIONS....................................................................................151

9. APPENDICIES .................................................................................................170

9.1 Public Submissions Summary................................................................................ 170

9.2 Public Consultations Summary .............................................................................. 175

9.3 Online Public Survey Summary ............................................................................. 181


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1. Background

The Chief Minister recognised the need to review the overall operations, interactions,issues and needs of the arts in the ACT. As a result, the ACT Government issued arequest for proposal and quotation for a consultancy to review the previous arts policy,

consult widely, and report back to the ACT Government with feedback, analysis andrecommendations on a proposed way forward.

Peter Loxton and Associates were appointed as the consultants to conduct anindependent review of the arts in Canberra. The review was created in part inresponse to the need for a new ACT Government action statement for the arts after thecurrent statement expired at the end of 2008. This report will be used to assist the ACTGovernment to develop new approaches to supporting a dynamic, accessible andsustainable arts sector for the ACT community.

The review was both practical and strategic in nature and included consideration of the

effectiveness of public sector support for the arts in the ACT. The creation of a newarts policy and strategy has been viewed as being of great importance to keep up withchanging needs and priorities in the arts sector in Canberra. In order to achieve this,the ACT Government has recognised the need to adopt best-practice arts policiesbased on feedback and recommendations from the ACT and other jurisdictions.

Peter Loxton and Associates have worked with the ACT Chief Ministers Department todevelop the methodology for this review of the arts in Canberra. This report on thereview has been built on a combination of research into the ACT arts communitysviews of the effectiveness of the current policy, as well as best practice arts policy fromaround Australia.

The review of the arts in Canberra involved a thorough consultation process whichengaged key stakeholders. Peter Loxton and Associates have worked withstakeholders to understand their experiences and views about priorities, opportunities,issues, program delivery, and funding methods. Particular emphasis during theconsultations was given to receiving honest, informed and quite often confidentialfeedback from many stakeholders with regard to areas such as strengths,opportunities and challenges in the ACT arts sector; current advisory mechanisms; keyarts priorities; issues in relation to policy; strategic directions; and strengths andweaknesses of funding methods.

A number of different consultation mechanisms have provided an important foundation

of information for the report, including interviews, field visits, focus and discussiongroups, online and hardcopy surveys, open forums and include face-to-face, phone,email, post and media. The review has included different modes and approaches toconsultations to ensure the widest spread of views across the arts sector and thebroader community.

It is expected that the findings and recommendations from this review will be used toinform the ACT Government in an ongoing commitment to and investment in the arts inCanberra through new policies, strategies and actions to strengthen the arts.


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2. Executive Summary

Background

The ACT Government recognised that the arts in the ACT faced a range of challenges

that needed to be addressed through a wide-ranging, practical and strategic review.The scope of the review required consideration of the effectiveness of policies,strategies and public sector support for the arts in the ACT.

A major motivation for commissioning a review at this time was the need for a newACT Government policy for the arts after the policy statement, Arts Canberra ActionStatement for the Arts, expired at the end of 2008. The creation of a new arts policyand strategy was recognised as being of great importance to identify changing needsand opportunities in the arts sector in Canberra and to guide future funding and otherGovernment priorities.

A request for proposal and quotation was issued for a consultancy to review artspolicy, consult widely, and report back to the ACT Government with feedback, analysisand recommendations on proposed future policies, strategies and actions. InSeptember 2009, the Chief Minister and Minister for the Arts and Heritage, Mr JonStanhope, announced the appointment of Peter Loxton and Associates Pty Ltd toundertake a detailed independent review of the arts in Canberra over approximatelynine months, including the overall operations, interactions, issues and future needs ofthe arts in the ACT.

The review involved research into best-practice arts policy from around Australia andextensive consultations with the ACT arts community, the public and other jurisdictions. Consultations included three public forums, online and hardcopy publicsurveys, artist and other arts workshops, face-to-face interviews and email and writtensubmissions. These consultations provided an important foundation of information,ideas and feedback for this report.

Issues and Learnings

There were a number of strong impressions, most of which became evident quiteearly, and were reinforced over the duration of the review through consultations andinputs from hundreds of stakeholders in the ACT. What was learned from the ACT arts

sector and public formed the foundations of many of the issues to be addressedthrough this review. These included:

There is a high level of interest in and passion for the arts in the ACT There is very active community involvement in the arts It is difficult to survive as a full-time professional artist in Canberra, especially as

a young or emerging artist Some areas of the arts appear to be better funded than others Arts facilities and venues are in high demand and are valued The balance and blending of funding needs to change, with more for

professional artists, especially emerging artists

Communication and information about the arts needs attention


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There is no clear delineation between the needs of professional and communityarts

There is rigour in Government processes, but they are also often complex, slow,inflexible and unresponsive to the needs of the arts

There should be a greater awareness and connection of the arts to education,

community, social, and economic development Arts budgets and resources are too tight, and there is an urgent need for new

priorities and change

Future Policy Directions

The ACT Government was widely seen through the review as supportive of the arts.However, it became clear that because of significant strains on current funding, therewill have to be changes to the future role of Government in relation to the arts. Thesechanges should be consistent with new policy priorities, which should be aligned asclosely as possible with principles, developments and priorities in the Australian

Government and other jurisdictions. It is suggested that the Governments future keygoals for the arts should be:

1. Increasing participation in the arts2. Attracting and developing artists and quality art

These goals, combined with a range of more specific policies, should guideGovernment funding and resourcing priorities. It is proposed that Government fundingfor the arts should in future be more targeted to ensure there is real impact in priorityareas, rather than trying to support all areas of the arts, which would inevitably fallshort of expectations.

It will be essential for transparency and effectiveness that Government ensures futurefunding decisions are based only on new goals and priorities. This will require somedifficult decisions, including reviewing all existing funding and setting clear timeframesfor new funding priorities and arrangements, as well as for new performanceexpectations. There will also need to be significant changes to streamline and improveGovernment communication and processes so that decisions guided by new policiesare made and advised as promptly as possible.

Summary of Key Issues, Analysis and Recommendations

Government

There is genuine reason for concern about the heavy and apparently growingdependence from the arts sector on ACT Government funding. The level ofdependence on the ACT Government seems to be higher in the ACT than in otherjurisdictions, and the level of Australian Government funding is lower.This will require strategies to maximise the focus and impact of Government fundingaround new, clear policy priorities and to minimise the costs of administration andduplication.There will also be a requirement for concerted action to increase the diversity of

revenue sources for the arts, including through new partnerships and greaterinvolvement of business through sponsorship, as well as by encouraging philanthropy.


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The Chief Minister and ACT Government will have an important leadership role to playin driving these changes.

The most obvious role for Government is that of direct funding for the arts. However,there is also a leadership role for Government to play in developing a vision for the arts

in Canberra. It should also promote the value of the arts for individuals andcommunities, as well as significant contributions to other areas of Government priorityincluding education, health, social and economic development.

There is also an important facilitation role for ACT Government to help the artscommunity to connect with different areas and levels of Government, business, thepublic, and with other artists and arts organisations nationally and internationally.There are excellent opportunities for the arts to create stronger relationships andpartnerships with other areas of Government and business in a range of areasincluding tourism, events and festivals. It is reasonable for Government to expect thatone aspect of its return on investment in the arts is the economic benefits that the arts

deliver to the ACT economy.

artsACT

Management and staff at artsACT demonstrate a strong commitment to the arts and toproviding professional public administration. However, this review found that there wascriticism that artsACT appeared to be overly process-driven, bureaucratic andunresponsive. Staff are currently required to provide a range of services andadministrative support that are no longer appropriate. With new funding and grantsadministration arrangements, artsACT would be able to streamline all processes.

With clear Government goals and policies, artsACT would be given the opportunity torefocus its efforts on policy advice, data collection, research and communication. Itshould be well placed to become more proactive, better connected and informed andbe the focal point for responsive, timely, informed policy advice to the Chief Ministerand to agencies across Government.

artsACT would also need to develop more effective, open and trusted communicationwith the arts sector, and to provide more active specialist leadership in the coordinationand promotion of the arts, including working with Government agencies. An upgradedwebsite would be required to enable one aspect of improved communication,

engagement and feedback.

artsACT should be encouraged to broaden its policy scope to build capacity,knowledge and expertise in the areas of economic development, innovation andcreative industries.


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Cultural Council

Currently the majority of the Cultural Councils time is spent on funding matters. It issuggested that Cultural Council should relinquish current funding responsibilities andrefocus its attention on becoming an effective, responsive policy advisory body.

The Cultural Council should develop into a Ministerial Arts Advisory Council whichwould principally provide advice directly to the Minister for the Arts on both specificissues raised by the Minister as well as their own ideas and initiatives, based on acloser connection with the ACT arts sector. At present the Councils fundingresponsibilities inhibit this connection to some extent because of concerns aboutprobity.

Cultural Facilities Corporation

The Cultural Facilities Corporation (CFC) demonstrates effective administration with

high standards of corporate governance but its range of responsibilities is unusual andbased on decisions taken at an earlier time, rather than on natural synergies. While theCFC was seen to add real value in some areas, such as the management of historicproperties, in other areas it did not appear to add significant benefit when takingaccount of the administrative costs.

It is proposed that the CFC would relinquish its responsibilities other than for historicproperties. The CFC would build on its strengths and develop into a new HistoricPlaces Trust (HPT) to take responsibility for all heritage properties and assets, as wellas historic and significant places. The new HPT would take on a more focused, activeand entrepreneurial role modeled on the NSW Historic Houses Trust.

The Canberra Theatre Centre appears to perform well in its own right, and it issuggested that this would operate most effectively and efficiently in future as aseparate, fully ACT Government owned entity operating under a Board reporting to theChief Minister.

The Canberra Museum and Gallery (CMAG) is an important facility but it seems tostruggle with its identity and with attracting audiences. As soon as possible, artsACTshould be responsible for significant changes to the structure and operations of CMAG.The Museum and Gallery aspects of CMAG would separate with the opportunity to

have different management and partnership arrangements for each function. Therewould be a new Canberra Gallery in the current location of the CMAG, which wouldfocus on the full range of ACT visual arts, including an ACT Indigenous component.There would also be innovative elements and partnerships to provide a new andinteresting museum presence for Canberra.

Arts Organisations

Government should in future only fund organisations that can demonstrate strategiesfor the delivery of outcomes that support Government policy priorities of increasedparticipation and quality art.


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There is currently an unsustainable number of Key Arts Organisations (KAOs) and alack of clarity about what constitutes a KAO. Government should in future fund asmaller number of organisations or clusters of organisations and should alsodiscontinue use of the term Key Arts Organisations. Collaboration and partnershipsbetween arts organisations and art forms will need to be strongly encouraged, as this

will be the future focus of all funding for arts organisations. Governments aim would befor about eight arts hubs to emerge based on art form and/or precinct, and thesewould be funded for a maximum of three years. There would also be an emphasis onidentifying and supporting centres of excellence, with a focus on art forms andorganisations where the ACT has competitive advantage on the national and globalstage.

Professional Artists

Professional artists are clearly central to a healthy, dynamic arts sector and a new ACTGovernment arts policy must fully recognise their vital contribution. It has been

observed around Australia that funding for individual artists is reducing in proportion tofunding for major institutions and arts organisations, and this is certainly the case in theACT. There is a need to focus on providing greater support for more practisingprofessional artists, particularly young and emerging artists, as well as for new andemerging art forms. This support should include mentoring and professionaldevelopment, access to appropriate arts facilities, facilitation of artist forums andincreased funding.

There is strong evidence to support a Government funded Artists in Residenceprogram, which will promote quality art, education and Canberra as an arts hub.Government should also create an Emerging Artists category in the Arts Fund andensure that grants application and commissioning processes for artists are as simple,quick and flexible as possible while properly meeting essential probity and riskmanagement requirements.

Community Participation in the Arts

The ACT Governments primary goal in support for community arts should be toincrease participation in the arts, rather than to achieve artistic quality or excellence.Funding for community arts should generally be allocated at the regional level and themain focus of Government funding for community arts should be the provision of

appropriate, multi-purpose, accessible facilities.

Public Art

The ACT Government has made a significant investment in public art in recent years.This initiative showed vision in recognising that public art could be an integral part ofpublic spaces and has resulted in many outstanding works becoming a part ofCanberras cultural and physical landscape. However, the initiative has also received aconsiderable amount of critical public comment and negative media coverage directedmainly at an apparent lack of transparency in the process of buying or commissioningthe sculptures and planning for their location.


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A policy framework for public art would assist greatly in setting clear directions andprocesses. These policies would stem mainly from an ACT Cultural Facilities Plan thatwould indicate future placement of Public Art in the ACT, and the associatedconsultation and decision-making processes. artsACT would have a continuing policyrole only, including ensuring ongoing curatorial oversight. In future, the new ACT Arts

Fund Panel should make recommendations, after seeking appropriate specialist PublicArt advice. Art beyond sculpture should be included as part of the scope of Public Art.

Despite some criticisms, most of which can be addressed through new policies, therewas overwhelming support during the review for the vision behind Public Art, and forthe determination that a Public Art program should continue. These views are stronglysupported by the reviewers.

Facilities and Planning

Facilities are a vital element of infrastructure to support the arts in the ACT. A Cultural

Facilities Plan is required to create clarity and structure around planning for corecultural facilities, venues, heritage buildings, regional and multiple use facilities, futurearts precincts, and any major new developments of cultural facilities for Canberra. ThePlan should be developed in an open and collaborative process with input from all keystakeholders.

artsACT should retain ownership and control of its non-heritage arts facilities, butresponsibility for repairs and maintenance should be transferred or outsourced with arealistic budget from the small, dedicated team to external specialists in this area.

Access and rental arrangements need to be reviewed to ensure clarity andconsistency, reflecting Government arts goals and priorities.

Communication, Marketing and Promotion

There was very strong feedback that communication, marketing and promotion of thearts in the ACT are currently fractured and ineffective. A cost-effective, centralised andcoordinated communication and information unit, overseen by arts organisations andartsACT, should be established outside Government for artists, arts organisations andthe public.

Universities

The ACT Government should fully acknowledge the vital contribution of the majoruniversities, and particularly the ANU, to the arts and the professional development ofartists in the ACT. This should be seen as a basis to further develop trustedrelationships, new partnerships and opportunities for closer collaboration, innovationand cost-sharing with both ANU and UC.

The ACT Government provides substantial arts funding to the ANU which is one of itslargest recipients of funding. There must continue to be clear and agreed performanceexpectations in terms of benefits to the ACT, including participation goals forcommunity outreach programs and increased access to Llewellyn Hall.


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National Cultural Institutions

The National Cultural Institutions (NCIs) play a vital role in the ACT arts environment.artsACT should facilitate establishing and developing strong bilateral and multilateralrelationships and partnerships between the NCIs, ACT artists and arts organisations,

and ACT Government agencies.

Diversity, Indigenous Arts and Accessibility

Diversity is a very important issue that needs to become a broader sharedresponsibility of ACT Government and all arts organisations receiving funding. Acondition of future artsACT funding should be a requirement to demonstrate and reporton social inclusion and diversity initiatives.

The ACT Community Arts Office should be outposted to provide significant localsupport to community arts, with two positions allocated to Tuggeranong and two to

Belconnen Arts Centres, to cover the entire ACT. Current staff should be given theopportunity to take up these new roles, which would set out to increase participation inthe arts, including all diversity target groups.

There should be an Indigenous specific funding category in the ACT Arts Fund.artsACT should work closely and collaboratively with Indigenous people to ensure thatall decisions about an Indigenous category are informed and that implementation issuccessful. Capacity building initiatives, including assistance with applications andreporting are strongly encouraged.

There needs to be clarification of policy on all aspects of access and accessibility.Many of these, such as parking, transport and disability access, should be included inthe development of a Cultural Facilities Plan.

Funding

Peer assessment should be retained for significant funding decisions, as this ensuresinformed, independent, merit-based decision-making about funding. However, in orderto streamline funding decisions, a single ACT Arts Fund Panel with a strong mix ofskills should be established to operate across art forms and the arts sector, withaccess to specialist art form advice as required. This change would streamlinedecision-making processes, enabling funding announcements months earlier.

This would be combined with direct decision-making for lower level, responsivedecisions such as Quick Response Grants, which would be decided by artsACT.


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3. Context

3.1 Canberra: Brief History, Location and Population

Canberra is a thriving modern city of 353,600 people. In 1908 the Commonwealth

Parliament chose the site for the capital of Australia. In 1911, the Australian CapitalTerritory was established, at that time called the Federal Capital Territory.

The Australian capital was given the name Canberra by Lady Denman on 13 March1913 and the Centenary of Canberra will be celebrated throughout 2013.

3.2 ACT Government - Territory and Local Responsibilities

Until 1989 the ACT was managed by the Federal Minister for Territories, but thegrowth of Canberra, particularly from the 1960s, led to the Australian Government

decision that the ACT should be granted self-government.

In 1988, the Australian Parliament passed four Bills setting up self-government for theAustralian Capital Territory.

The Legislative Assembly is made up of 17 Members of the Legislative Assembly(MLAs) .

The current Chief Minister of the ACT is Mr Jon Stanhope MLA. Chief MinisterStanhope is also the Minister for Territory and Municipal Services, Minister forTransport, Minister for Business and Economic Development, Minister for Land andProperty Services, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs and Minsterfor the Arts and Heritage.

Administrative Arrangements established the Chief Ministers Department, theDepartment of Treasury, Department of Territory and Municipal Services, Departmentof Justice and Community Safety, Department of Health, Department of Disability,Housing and Community Services, Department of Land and Property Services andDepartment of the Environment, Climate Change, Energy and Water.

The ACT Government effectively has a combination of Territory, and the equivalent of

local government and City Council responsibilities. As a result of also being thelocation of the national capital, the ACT Government has interests and involvement atnational, Territory-wide and community levels.


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4. CURRENT ARTS LANDSCAPE

4.1Arts Activities

artsACT

The ACT Government arts administration, artsACT, is part of Chief MinistersDepartment (CMD) and currently employs 20 staff. The roles for artsACT are to:

Develop and implement Government policies on the arts Manage and deliver the ACT Arts Fund Oversee Government investment in the ACTs 20 Key Arts Organisations,

including the Canberra Glassworks and Belconnen Arts Centre Support the Community Outreach Program, which is delivered by the Australian

National University (ANU) Support the ACT Cultural Council - the ACT Governments advisory body on the

arts and its Peer Assessment Panels and working groups Oversee the ACT Governments arts facilities including repairs and

maintenance Manage and deliver the public art program and support the Public Art Panel Advocate for the ACT arts sector through forums such as the Cultural Ministers

Council and the Australia Council for the Arts Administer the Cultural Facilities Corporation Act 1997 Deliver a wide range of other arts initiatives and projects such as the Regional

Arts Fund and the Artists in Schools initiative

The Arts in the ACT

The arts are an integral part of life for the majority of Canberrans, with the ACTrecording the highest attendance at cultural venues and events in Australia. Therecently released 2005-06 Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Survey of Attendanceat Cultural Venues and Events found that Canberra is the most cultured city in thenation, with 90% of Canberra residents aged 15 years and over visiting at least onecultural venue or event. This was the highest rate of all of the States and Territoriesand was 5% higher than the average Australian attendance rate (85%). It should benoted that the following figures are sourced from the ABS and are aggregated acrosscultural activities of the ACT which include the National Cultural Institutions (NCIs) and

those of the ACT Government.

ACT Strengths in the Arts

ACT attendance and participation to at least one cultural venue or event in the

12 months prior to survey was above the national average

Attendance at art galleries and museums was strong and attendance at

performing arts activities in the ACT was also greater than the national average

Of people aged 15 to 34 years in the ACT, 93% attended a cultural venue or

event in the 12 months prior to interview

Most participants who attended cultural venues and events attended more than

once in the 12 months prior to interview. Of particular note is that 81.5% ofthose attending art galleries attended more than once.


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Children in the ACT had greater participation in art and craft activities than the

national average

Childrens attendance at cultural venues and events was higher in the ACT than

nationally, with the most significant difference being attendance at museums or

art galleries Indigenous participation in cultural events and attendance at Indigenous

festivals/carnivals involving art, craft, music or dance events in the ACT is

higher than the national average

People in the ACT with a disability have lower attendance rates at most cultural

venues and events than the general ACT population. However, attendance

rates in the ACT were still higher than for Australia as a whole.

Attendance rates for people aged 60 years and older in the ACT were higher

than the national average

ACT households spending on cultural items is higher than the national

average 10,784 people or 4.1% of all employed persons in the ACT considered their

main job to be in a cultural industry occupation and a greater proportion of the

ACT population works in cultural activities compared with the national average

The number of volunteers involved in cultural activities is above the national

average

At June 2008, there were 23 museums and art galleries operating in the ACT

employing 1,082 people and 869 volunteers

At June 2007, there were 21 performing arts businesses in the ACT which

generated $5.5 million of income Attendance at cinemas in the ACT is higher than national average

Specific Art Forms noted in the artsACT ACT Arts Fund Information Booklet2010 (and 2011) include:

Dance Theatre Literature Music Film Visual Arts Digital Arts Multi Arts / Cross Arts New Media


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4.2 Arts Organisations

There is currently ACT Government funding for the followingKey Arts Organisations (KAOs) for the summary of functions outlined:

ACT Writers Centre Inc - Programs and services for writers ArtSound FM 92.7 - Community radio broadcasting and recording facility Ausdance (ACT) Inc - Dance services and programs Belconnen Arts Centre Inc - Community arts programs Canberra Contemporary Art Space Inc - Contemporary visual art exhibitions,

programs and services Canberra Glassworks Inc - Glass programs, equipment and exhibitions Canberra Potters Society - Ceramic programs, studios, equipment and gallery Canberra Symphony Orchestra Inc - Symphonic concerts and services Canberra Youth Music Inc - Youth orchestral and voice programs and concerts Canberra Youth Theatre Inc - Theatre workshops and productions with young

people Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre Inc - Contemporary craft programs,

exhibitions and services Gorman House Arts Centre Inc - Manage Gorman House Art Centre, manage

Ainslie Arts Centre, host of the ACT Community Arts Office Jigsaw Theatre Company Inc - Theatre for young people Megalo Access Arts Inc - Printmaking access facilities, exhibitions Music For Everyone - Music programs for all ages and abilities PhotoAccess Inc - Photographic and digital access facility, exhibitions QL2 Centre for Youth Dance Inc - Youth dance programs and productions The Stagemaster Inc - Manager of The Street Theatre programs and

productions Tuggeranong Community Arts Association - Community art programs, manages

Tuggeranong Arts Centre Warehouse Circus - Youth physical theatre/circus programs and productions

In addition to KAOs, the Australian National University (ANU) receives $1.4m directlythrough the Community Outreach Program. artsACT also provides $0.2m directly toACT music organisations to use Llewellyn Hall.


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4.3 Arts Facilities

artsACT on behalf of the ACT Government currently oversees the operations of 12facilities which are wholly dedicated to arts activity. These facilities are supported bythe ACT Government to: nurture and stimulate excellence and innovation; provide

opportunities to participate in the arts; and nurture cultural development.

Some of these facilities were purpose built to meet identified community and artssector needs for arts and cultural services. Other facilities were surplus ACTGovernment assets made available for use by arts groups which had expressed aneed for space.

Some of these once-surplus-assets have been significantly refurbished for arts andcultural purposes and some are nominated or listed on the ACT Heritage Register.The 12 artsACT arts facilities are:

Facility Location FocusAinslie Arts Centre Ainslie (heritage

registered)Music

Belconnen Arts Centre Belconnen CommunityCanberra Contemporary ArtSpace

Manuka Visual

Canberra Glassworks,including The Chapel

Kingston (heritageregistered)

Visual and residence

Gorman House Arts Centre Braddon (heritageregistered)

Multi tenanted and multiart form

Manuka Arts Centre Manuka (heritageregistered) Visual and Radio

Nissen Hut Store Kambah Theatre StorageStrahnairn Arts Centre Holt VisualThe Street Theatre City West TheatreTheatre 3 City West ActonTuggeranong Arts Centre Greenway CommunityWatson Arts Centre Watson Visual Ceramics

artsACT currently receives base funding of $329,000 for repairs and maintenance onthese arts facilities. In 2010-11, $268,000 was allocated for capital upgrades of

facilities. For the past number of years, an additional $400,000 has been allocated byTreasury from a central provision. This will not be provided in 2010-11.

Organisations that manage artsACT facilities operate under licence and do not payrent. They are, however, responsible for outgoings such as utilities and security.

The ACT Government, through the Cultural Facilities Corporation (CFC), manages theCanberra Museum and Gallery and the Canberra Theatre Centre (The CanberraTheatre, The Playhouse and The Courtyard Studio), and historic properties(Calthorpes House, Mugga Mugga and Lanyon Homestead). The CFC rents its officespace and the space for Canberra Museum and Gallery from ACT Property Groupwithin the Department of Land and Property Services for a total of $1,532,000 perannum.


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There has been development of performing arts centres in Government schools andcolleges. These centres have the potential to enhance accessibility by artists and thecommunity to versatile and well-designed venues. Schools with these venues include:Erindale College; Lyneham High School; and Calwell High. It will be important in thefuture to ensure coordination across Government so there is maximum use of these

facilities by artists and the community.

In addition there are a number of arts organisations which rent facilities under licencefrom the ACT Property Group. These include:

Canberra Spinners and Weavers, Ainslie

Canberra Lapidary Club, Lyons

Canberra Dance Development, Spence

Folk Dance Canberra, Hackett

Craft ACT, Civic

ACT Community Arts Office, Civic M16 Art Space, Griffith

The Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services manages a number ofcommunity facilities which also accommodate arts organisations including:

The Chifley Hub (former Melrose Primary School) Warehouse Circus

Cook Hub (former Cook Primary School)

Canberra Youth Ballet

Canberra Quilters

Phoenix Players, Free Rain Theatre Company and Supa Productions

These organisations also pay a community rent and are under licence with DHCS.


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4.4 Funding

Major Elements of Funding for the Arts in the ACT

RECURRENT

2009/10 2010/11! $000 $000Chief Ministers Department - artsACT 11,607 11,609Cultural Facilities Corporation (CFC) 7,435 7,440

TOTAL 19,042 19,049

In 2009/2010 the total budget for artsACT was $11,607,000. This included $5,043,024allocated to the ACT Arts Fund. $3,808,680 of this figure, or more than three quartersof the Arts Fund, was budgeted for KAOs.

CAPITAL

2009/10 2010/11! $000 $000Chief Ministers Department - artsACT 1,821 1,525Cultural Facilities Corporation (CFC) 1,962 459

TOTAL 3,783 1,984

ACT Arts Fund Funding and Grants

Historical

Total amount applied for since 1994: $119,610,079

Total amount funded since 1994: $65,089,888Number of grants provided since 1994 (all categories): 2,576

In 2009 artsACT received 21 funding applications from Key Arts Organisations (KAOs).The amount sought through these applications was $4,003,924, and 21 applicationswere approved with a total of $3,757,500.

There were 23 applications received and funded in the previous year. The amountapproved was $3,470,500.

2010 ACT Arts Fund

Based on the funding available to support the Project and Community Arts Fundingcategories through the 2010 ACT Arts Fund, the unmet merit (applications advised forfunding that fell outside the allocated budget) was $711,000. This is in comparison to ashortfall of $529,800 in the 2009 ACT Arts Fund.

The 2010 ACT Arts Fund was able to fund approximately one quarter of allapplications (to the Project and Community Arts Funding categories). In previousyears, the Fund has been able to support approximately one third of applications.!


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5. Consultations Summary

There was a clear expectation from the outset in this review from both the ACTGovernment and ourselves that, especially taking account of the very broad scope ofthe review, there would need to be extensive consultations with stakeholders. The

learnings from these consultations informed analysis and recommendations whichhave been included in all aspects of this report.

Many of the consultations were with artists and organisations either receiving orseeking funding from the ACT Government. It was clear from the outset that it wouldbe important to offer confidentiality about sources of information to gain confidencefrom those being consulted so they would be as open and honest as possible abouttheir experiences and views. Assurances about confidentiality were often sought, andcommitment was given. This has been respected and maintained in this report. Thereare a number of references to feedback from consultations without being specific aboutindividuals or organisations. These references are based on extensive notes taken

throughout the review and on confidential inputs received. Comments, analysis, andconclusions throughout this report are based on a combination of extensiveconsultations, research and professional judgement. There is no intention to provideany further specifics about sources.

There were a variety of consultation mechanisms in the review process, including:facilitated three public forums at Civic, Tuggeranong and Belconnen; received andconsidered online and written public surveys and email inputs; facilitated workshopswith established and emerging artists, major ACT arts organisations, artsACT staff,and Aboriginal artists; held face-to-face interviews with senior representatives of KeyArts Organisations, National Cultural Institutions, Universities, ACT and AustralianGovernment, business and others; as well as receiving and considering hard copy andemail submissions from a wide variety of arts stakeholders; and discussions.

Consultations

The following is a summary of meetings, consultations, workshops, interviews andinputs to the review:

ACT Government:

Chief Minister and Senior Advisor

Chief Ministers Department (CMD), including meetings with Chief Executive andsenior executives

Review of the Arts in Canberra Steering Committee artsACT staff workshop, and several separate background meetings with

Director, managers and various staff on historic and current fundingarrangements, venue management, public art, etc

Visited several ACT Government arts facilitiesACT Government Departments including: Chief Ministers Department (CMD);Department of Land and Property Services (LAPS); Department of Territory andMunicipal Services (TAMS); ACT Health; Department of Education and Training(DET); Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services (DHCS); ACT

Planning and Land Authority (ACTPLA). Received extensive written background material from artsACT


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Major ACT Arts Bodies:

ACT Cultural Council (one meeting, plus facilitated one full workshop); alsoseparate meetings with the Chair and Deputy Chair

Cultural Facilities Corporation (CFC) Board , (including workshop and written

submission) separate meetings with the Chair and Chief Executive. Alsomeetings and facility/display inspections with Directors of Canberra TheatreCentre, Canberra Museum and Gallery, and meeting at Lanyon Homestead onACT Historic Places

Key Arts Organisations (KAOs):

Individual, predominantly face-to-face meetings with managers/directors andseveral Chairs of all of the 22 Key Arts Organisations (KAOs). Most were met inperson with some follow-up meetings with, for example, chairs who wereunavailable

Received written responses directly from several KAOs

Other Arts Organisations:

Met or spoke in telephone conference calls with, and received written responsesdirectly and through artsACT from a number of ACT, national and other specificinterest arts organisations receiving various forms of funding support from ACTGovernment and/or those interested in the arts in the ACT

Artists:

Facilitated Emerging Artists Workshop Facilitated Established Artists Workshop Received follow-up input from artists who attended workshops and others either

unable to attend or not involved in the workshops

Indigenous:

Extended phone consultation with Indigenous arts representative Facilitated Indigenous Artists Workshop in Canberra Further input invited and received

Universities:

ANU: Meetings with Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Graduate Studies);Head of ANU School of Music and Head of ANU School of Art

University of Canberra: Meetings with Pro Vice-Chancellor Development; DeanFaculty of Arts and Design; and COO. Input also invited from VC ACU

Australian and other Governments:

CEO and Executive of Australia Council for the Arts (AusCo) National Cultural Institutions (NCIs): Acting Director National Portrait Gallery;

Curators of Drama and Dance at National Library of Australia; Assistant Director

at the National Gallery of Australia, plus a written submission; CEO at theAustralian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies


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Other State Governments: meetings with Executive Director Arts NSW andextended telephone conference calls with Directors/Executive Directors fromother jurisdictions including Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria

Meeting with Secretary Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and theArts

Public and Media:

Facilitated Public Forums at Civic, Tuggeranong and Belconnen Received written public input through online and hard copy surveys Received emails and other written input mostly directly, and also through artsACT

from the public, artists and arts organisations Radio extended interviews on ABC 666 (two), 2XX and ArtSound, plus news for

ABC TV and Radio, and commercial AM and FM stations Broadly monitored media coverage of the review of the arts in Canberra as well

as of emerging arts issues

Business/Government/Sponsorship:

Meetings with Chairman ActewAGL, Managing Director of ACTEW Corporation;and CEO AGL; and

Director ACT Australia Business Arts Foundation (AbaF)

Expert advice:

Several discussions were held with people with a variety of relevant knowledgeand expertise

Peter Watts, founding Director of NSW Historic Houses Trust. Director for 29years, and since then, independent reviewer of Museums and Galleries NSW,and Kate Clark, Director of NSW Historic Houses Trust

Venue and Facility Visits:

Visits to all artsACT-owned arts facilities and discussions with some of themanagers and artists working at these facilities

Visits to several KAO facilities Visits to Tuggeranong and Belconnen Arts Centres Visits to other arts facilities supported by artsACT and ACT Government

eg M16 Visits to CFC facilities Tour of the Arboretum with John Mackay, Chair of the Board of Governors Attended dance and drama performances at The Street Theatre and The

Playhouse Visited NCIs including: National Portrait Gallery, National Library of Australia;

National Gallery of Australia; and the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and TorresStrait Islander Studies

Visited Llewellyn Hall at ANU


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Letters, emails and documents:

Hundreds of letters, emails, hard and soft copy documents received throughoutthe review from public, artists, arts organisations and Government agencies.

Public Consultations and Brief Summary of Online Learnings

Public and community input into this review through a variety of consultationapproaches was an essential component in providing awareness and analysis ofideas, concerns, opportunities, issues, options, and ultimately recommendations.The public survey asked for community responses about priorities, opportunities,issues, program delivery, and funding methods and included the following areas:

Participation in the arts in the ACT Arts events attended and how often Most valued arts organisations

Whether ACT Government spending on the arts is effectively allocated Changes to the way the arts operate and are funded Whether the ACT Government spends too much in some arts areas and not

enough in others Arts venues used in the ACT and whether they could be more effectively used The importance of the arts to creative industries, tourism and the ACT economy

While a wide variety of views were expressed by the public, some consistent themesemerged. A brief summary of the online community consultation provides a snapshotof public interest in the arts in the ACT which is not inconsistent.There were more than 200 responses to the online survey from all age groups and

interests in the arts. The majority participated in the arts, either directly or as audiencesand all art forms were valued. Most participated in music events, visual arts, andperformance, but other art forms were well represented in the survey, including textile,design and print-making, pottery, photography, film, writing and craft.

A significant proportion were from Canberras inner north and south, but all other areasof Canberra were represented. Although young people under 20 years of age were notwell represented, many parents responding to the survey provided information andpriorities for their children.

The survey clearly demonstrated that the arts are highly valued in Canberra, and thatthe public believes that Government has an important leadership role to support thearts through funding, facilities, promotion and positive partnerships.

Some people felt that not enough was being spent in a number of areas of the arts.There was a wide range of very divergent views about what was most important in thearts flowing to differing views about priorities for Government arts expenditure. Inrecognition of the variety of demands on Government, the public felt that the ACTGovernment needed transparent policies and processes demonstrating that fundingwas allocated according to clear policy priorities, as well as sector needs andopportunities.


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The public want the arts to be accessible, and public art is appreciated. Availability ofand access to appropriate venues and facilities for community and professional arts isrecognised as very important.

Finally, the survey showed that the majority of the public support emerging and

innovative arts, professional and amateur arts, and strongly value arts events andfestivals.

Please find attached full summaries of public consultations as Appendices:

Appendix 1: Public Submissions SummaryAppendix 2: Public Consultations SummaryAppendix 3: Online Public Survey Summary


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6. Issues, Policy Directions and Delivery

6.1 Government

Both the Australian Government and the ACT Government have important roles in

setting policy direction for the arts in the Canberra. This section covers both of theseareas of Government.

artsACT is the major focus of policy advice and service delivery for the arts in the ACTGovernment. Taking account of its importance in this review it is covered separately insection 6.3.

6.1.1 Arts, Culture and Heritage - What Role for Government?

6.1.1 Issues and Analysis

1. There has been a long history of recognition by Government of the importance ofthe arts in the ACT and the need for Government support. However, there havealso been high profile issues, such as public art, which have proven to be politicallydivisive. It would be unfortunate if such issues had a negative impact on overallbipartisan recognition of the importance of ACT Government funding and otherforms of support for the arts. It is important through the policy review process tohave a fresh look at the role of Government.

2. While the ACT Government is widely seen as quite supportive of the arts, itbecame clear through the review that because of significant strains on currentfunding and other forms of support, there will have to be a range of changes in thefuture role of Government in relation to the arts sector. These changes should beconsistent with new policy priorities.

3. The most obvious role for Government is that of direct funding for the arts, which isdealt with in some detail in Section 7 of this report.

However, there is also a leadership role for Government to play in developing avision, policy and strategy for the arts in Canberra. There is an importantfacilitation role to help the arts community to connect with different areas andlevels of Government, business, the public, and with other artists and arts

organisations nationally and internationally.

The ACT Government also has a vital role to recognise and promote theimportance of the arts and culture in education, health, social well-being, economicdevelopment and the environment.

4. In the ACT, there appears to be a higher level of expectation of, and dependenceon, Government funding and resources for the arts than in other jurisdictions. Thiscan impact, at least to some extent, on the entrepreneurial outlook of artists andarts organisations and can potentially even affect the scope of artistic vision ofwhat might be possible to be achieved in Canberra.


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10. It should also be recognised that Government plays a vital role in the planning anddelivery of arts infrastructure, particularly including arts venues and facilities. TheACT Government already provides a high level of support in this area, thoughthere is a need for more effective planning, which would ensure a more consistentapproach to meeting the needs of all art forms and regions across the ACT.

11. Government has an important role in arts and culture well beyond funding providedthrough the ACT Arts Fund. Many agencies, including DET, DHCS and ACTHealth have an important role to play in the arts including provision of funding,facilities and other forms of support.

12. There could be value in some form of audit, so there is a better understandingwithin Government and by the public of the diverse involvement of Governmentagencies in the contribution of the arts to education, social development, theeconomy and other areas of life in the ACT.

13. There was some concern expressed through the review that some areas of theACT Government could appear, through their directive style, statements andexpectations, to be setting out to control rather than to support the arts throughfunding. However, more rather than less Government policy direction would begenerally welcomed by the arts sector and the public who provided feedback, tohelp overcome concerns about transparency around how funding decisions aredetermined.

14. There was criticism from the arts sector about the Governments previous artspolicy document, Arts Canberra Action Statement for the Arts. There was astrong view from artists and arts organisations that the ACT Governments ArtsPolicy should be a clear and comprehensive passionate statement of intent.

6.1.1 Recommendations

1. The ACT Government must provide clear policy direction on the arts. New goals,policies and strategic priorities need to be established, based on the extensiveconsultation, and wide ranging feedback, analysis and recommendations providedthrough this review.

2. The ACT Government needs to promote a wider recognition of the intrinsic valueof the arts, as well as the importance of the arts and culture in education, health,social well-being, and as an important component of economic development.

3. Undertake an audit of all the areas across Government where the ACTGovernment makes a contribution to the arts through funding, resources andfacilities. Pursue opportunities for better coordination, greater efficiency and moreintegrated planning to achieve clear policy goals and outcomes.

4. There is a high level of dependence on Government funding for the arts in theACT. Government leadership is required to actively investigate alternate sources

of funding and revenue. This should include encouraging greater business interestin sponsorship as well as philanthropy.


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6.1.2 Australian Government, Other Jurisdictions and Policy Alignment

In the review of current arts policies, it will be important to have full awareness of, andas far as possible, effective alignment with Cultural Ministers Council (CMC) andAustralia Council policy approaches, priorities and terminologies. There also needs to

be a keen awareness of developments in other jurisdictions.


Australian Government

1. While it will be important to ensure policies are appropriate to meet the specificrequirements of the ACT Governments approach to the arts in Canberra, policyprinciples at least will need to be consistent with Australian Government policydirections.

2. All States and Territories and the Australia Council have sensibly adopted theRoad to Harmony protocols, which have been designed to improve clarity andconsistency, and to reduce the duplication of information collected.

Harmony information includes a consistent approach to formats for informationsought from grants applicants in relation to: Business Plans, Budget informationand quantitative data. There is also an agreed Glossary of Terms. In addition,harmonisation is aimed to align timing with funding applications, including forTriennial Program Funding. It will be important to remain aware of these factors inthe policy development process.

3. Irrespective of the future role of Ministerial Councils and the Council of AustralianGovernments (COAG), policy should be developed and reviewed taking account ofdevelopments in all jurisdictions. There should be ongoing multilateral and bilateralcontact with other jurisdictions. The ACT should ensure it remains aware of newpolicy approaches, and practical experience about what works and what does notwork, to be able to establish and retain a role as a policy leader in the arts. SeveralStates through this review indicated a strong preparedness to cooperate.

4. It will also be important to continue to track and take account of any developmentsfrom the Australian Governments process of developing a National Cultural Policy

to ensure awareness of any national shifts in policy priorities.

5. There seemed to be a sense of mistrust and concern from several people spokento during the course of the review about relationships with Australian Governmentagencies and Institutions. While some in the ACT arts sector have pursued orresponded to proposals for partnerships, unfortunately this appears to be theexception rather than the rule.

6. There was a consistent view expressed by senior representatives of the AustralianGovernment and the National Cultural Institutions, though not specifically from theAustralia Council, of a keenness to work more closely and collaboratively on the

arts with Canberra artists, arts organisations and the ACT Government.


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7. There is obviously a genuine concern from artists that the Australian Governmentand Australia Council do not seem to recognise the number and range of artistsand arts organisations and the quality of art in Canberra. The percentage and levelof funding that comes to the ACT from Australia Council appears to be very low.

8. There seem to be very good and positive relationships between the ACT and other jurisdictions in relation to the arts at Ministerial, Chief Ministers Department andartsACT levels. There are also positive relationships through Cultural MinistersCouncil (CMC), and generally bilaterally with Australian Government agencies andother jurisdictions.

9. This review included discussions with the CEO and Executive of the AustraliaCouncil, as well as with the Executive Directors/Directors of Government Artsagencies in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia andTasmania. While the ACT is smaller and different to other State jurisdictions, allhave been facing similar challenges, including the need to clarify policies and

strategies to guide funding priorities with budgets ranging from very tight toseverely shrinking. There are significant opportunities to be more active inpursuing discussions to test the benefits of what has been found to work in other jurisdictions, which could be adopted in the ACT. Several of these ideas andinitiatives have been outlined in this report.

10. Despite differences in scale, and the need to adapt strategies to the particularneeds of the ACT, it is still important that policies, strategies, models, systems anddefinitions are generally consistent with other jurisdictions around Australia. It willbe very important, particularly with the initiative to create a National Cultural Policybeing undertaken by the Australian Government, to stay connected with what ishappening, to pick up ideas and make sure the ACT is on a consistent track.

11. One possibility that was raised by one of the larger States was the opportunity formore sharing of production and other resources across States and Territories. Anexample was given of commissioning or purchasing a production to be shown inboth a major capital city and in Canberra, resulting in reduced costs and extendedavailability of quality productions for Canberra audiences. This is likely to be morean issue for the Canberra Theatre Centre to consider, taking account of costs andbenefits to Canberra. There are similar initiatives emerging in the area of festivalsand events, where costs of blockbuster productions are also a major issue and

interest is increasingly being tested in cooperative ventures across jurisdictions.

12. Irrespective of whether sharing decisions and costs of productions acrossjurisdictions is found to be beneficial, there is no doubt from this review that thereare many opportunities across the board for greater sharing of ideas, initiativesand costs that should be pursued. There seems to be a consistent openness tosharing of ideas and experiences, and no doubt this happens informally to someextent on an ongoing basis. However, beyond areas like data and research, thereappears a surprising lack of concerted action in relation to sharing. The ACT couldlead the way in an initiative to actively pursue an agenda of areas and initiativeswhere cost and resource sharing could be mutually beneficial.


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It is fully acknowledged that what works in larger jurisdictions will not necessarilywork without some adaptation to the arts and demographic environment in theACT, but this should not stand in the way of active investigation of opportunities.


1. A new ACT Arts Policy should be aligned with policy principles, developments andpriorities in the Australian Government and in other jurisdictions. It will benecessary to continually review policy developments and funding initiatives in other jurisdictions and to actively investigate sharing arrangements to minimise costsand increase alignment.


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6.1.3 Chief Minister, Minister for the Arts and Heritage

There is clearly a strong interest in and commitment to the arts from the Chief Minister,Minister for the Arts and Heritage. However, there are appropriate concerns from theChief Minister and the ACT Government that there are increasing demands on the

Budget, including from the arts, and that there needs to be a fresh look at current andfuture policies and priorities for ACT Government funding, resourcing and support.


1. There is recognition of the need to review the overall operations, interactions,issues and needs of the arts in the ACT.

2. There is also recognition that, while Government commitment to the arts continuesto be strong, there is growing frustration from most parties that Governmentsupport is now over-stretched across all areas of the arts.

3. As a result, the Chief Minister saw a need to consult widely and to listen to viewsand ideas from many stakeholders associated with the arts in the ACT. There wasobviously a strong and genuine interest from the Chief Minister to receivefeedback, analysis and recommendations to tackle the challenges ahead.

4. Following consultations, it was necessary to reassess the most appropriate futurerole of Government in the arts. This included policy priorities in the context ofcurrent and likely future needs, challenges and opportunities in the arts.

5. There has been some frustration from the Chief Minister, the Cultural Council andartsACT about scope, timeliness and current mechanisms for receiving, testing,developing and providing ideas, feedback and policy advice from the arts sector tothe Chief Minister.

6. Following consultations and analysis of options, it is suggested there should befour key sources of policy advice to the Chief Minister:

artsACT

A Ministerial Advisory Council

Effective research and communication by Government with artists, arts

organisations and the public

Regular Annual or Biennial Artist Forums

7. There is concern from the Chief Minister about the heavy and apparently growingdependence from the arts sector on ACT Government funding. This has increasedawareness of the need to maximise efficiency, minimise duplication, diversifyrevenue sources and to maximise funding and other support from alternativesources. There need to be new partnerships and greater involvement of businessthrough sponsorship, as well as philanthropy. The Chief Minister and Government

will have an important leadership role to play in these changes.


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6.1.4 Chief Ministers Department, Other Agencies and Whole-of-Government

Through the process of this review it was evident that the Chief Ministers Department(CMD) is active and generally widely respected both within ACT Government and withexternal stakeholders.

6.1.4.Issues and Analysis

1. It is recognised that strong leadership from respected senior management of CMDwill be an important factor in adding value to the arts sector by coordinatingsupport for arts initiatives across Government. However, there were indicationsthat there could be some concerns if there was too much emphasis oncentralisation rather than on coordination from CMD.

2. There was clear feedback from artists, arts organisations and the public aboutwhat is seen as an obvious lack of communication and coordination across ACT

Government in relation to the arts. This leads to considerable frustration in the artscommunity, especially taking account of the relatively small size of the ACT publicsector. There appears to be very little awareness of this situation within agencies.

3. There are varying levels of awareness of and interest in the arts at senior levels ofACT Government agencies. Despite considerable encouragement from the ChiefExecutive of CMD, only one Chief Executive, in the large and vital area ofEducation and Training, was able to meet with the reviewers. This is a verydifferent situation to larger jurisdictions, where experience indicates that DirectorsGeneral/Chief Executives would appreciate the importance of the arts and wouldwish to be directly involved.

To a large extent, the level of interest in the arts in most agencies reflects thepersonal interests and initiative of a few individuals rather than any informed,policy-driven strategic approach.

Individual enthusiasm is valuable and often the source of positive initiatives.However, in the absence of agency awareness or strategy, and apparently in a fewcases in the face of apathy or opposition, agency action involving the arts is not aseffective as it could be. While there is a considerable level of activity and potentialin relation to the arts in most agencies, there is a notable and unfortunate lack of

communication, coordination and whole-of-Government action.

4. There were differing views about whether artsACT or senior management of CMDwas best positioned to take on a wider role of providing policy advice and whole-of-Government coordination on the arts across Government. Some concerns wereexpressed that artsACT have not previously appeared to demonstrate stronginterest to become actively involved in wider issues, like the many roles andopportunities for the arts in areas of social and economic development.

However, on balance it is suggested that artsACT, with the clear support of CMD,should become the focal point for policy, information and coordination of all issues

related to the arts in ACT Government. It is also expected that artsACT wouldbecome more actively engaged with the arts sector and the community.


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1. Having taken positive initiatives on structural change by bringing Australian CapitalTourism, Special Events and the Centenary of Canberra together with the ACTHeritage Unit and artsACT in CMD, opportunities should now be actively pursued

for closer connection, cooperation and coordination between each of these areas.

2. CMD should drive and support improved communication and better coordinatedwhole-of-Government responses to the arts to be led by artsACT. This needs toensure improved, more responsive service delivery, greater efficiency andperformance measurement against Government arts priorities.

3. There should be strong encouragement from CMD for agencies to work together,with the support of artsACT, on developing and promoting arts initiatives such asPoetry in ACTION, which is excellent, and should continue to receive support.CMD and other agencies should seek policy and strategic advice from artsACT on

any arts or cultural issues or proposals relating to their agencies.


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He identified three themes for a new National Cultural Policy framework: keepingculture strong, engaging the community, and empowering the young. Keepingculture strong included maintaining and developing key institutions such asgalleries, museums, libraries and major performing arts companies, as well asrecognising the foundation position Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history

and expression occupies in Australias cultural life. Engaging the communityinvolves producing work which is not only relevant but also attracts new audiences.The theme of powering the young was seen to demand attention, given theimmense reservoir of creative vitality and enthusiasm that resides in young people.In order to unleash and promote this creativity for wider consumption there was aneed to examine new opportunities for experimentation and exhibition.

Minister Garrett recognised that a key role for government is to ensure publicfunding is linked to specific public priorities. This was seen by the Minister toinclude exploring direct funding for individuals whose creative activity pushesthe boundaries to new knowledge and ways of doing things, like public funding

for scientific research. He wanted to build stronger connections betweenindividual artists and the well-supported, large arts organisations to increaseopportunities for artists, especially including new work from emerging artists.

These issues, and the new National Cultural Policy were often referred to, andwidely recognised through review consultations, as fundamentally important for theACT.

8. Strong views were expressed that a new ACT arts policy needs to be based onstrong and clear vision and purpose and should not aim to please everyone. Itshould aim to reflect public and Government priorities and to transparently guidedecisions about Government funding and support.

9. Response toArts Canberra Action Statement for the Arts 2006-2008

As noted earlier, it is not proposed to provide detailed analysis of the previouspolicy. Rather the aim is to provide guidance here and through the whole report forthe development of a new policy. Comments and thoughts in this part of the reportwill follow key Headings, beginning with statements in Arts Canberra andsuggestions of possible alternatives:

9.1 Previous Vision

The ACT is rich in arts activities and experiences that creatively engage, challengeand inspire our community

A possible new Vision:

The highest level of interest, engagement and participation in the arts is valuedand nurtured. The arts and culture have intrinsic value, are a central andsustainable part of life in the ACT, and contribute actively to our identity, creativity,community, education, social and economic development.


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9.2 Previous Principles

Arts and cultural activities are at the heart of our communitys identity,dynamism and strength.

Excellence, sustainability and professionalism are central to the development of

the arts. Practising artists and arts organisations make a vital contribution to our

community. All people have accessible opportunities to participate in arts and cultural

activities. Innovation, risk-taking and artistic freedom are respected. Government, business and community investment in the arts generates

significant social, cultural and economic benefits. High quality arts facilities and resources are essential to a sound public

infrastructure. The arts have a central place in education. Art in public places engages and inspires our community and enhances our

physical environment.

Principles Analysis:

The list of principles is quite long and comprehensive perhaps too long. Themain comments here, if a section titled principles is retained, are: to ensure eachitem on the list is genuinely a guiding principle, rather than vision of a goal;consider a shorter list of principles ideally about 5; while this is not vision uselanguage that is clear and inspirational.

If a list of principles is retained, two examples of principles that should behighlighted and included are accessibility and diversity which are dealt with inthis report. To follow these examples, without a genuine commitment to theseprinciples, any goal relating to participation would be very difficult to achieve.

9.3 Previous Goals

1. Excellence is EncouragedFoster artists professional and creative development.Support excellence, innovation and challenge in artistic practice.

2. Engagement and Participation is MaximisedAssist diverse, high quality artistic activity to achieve a high visibility.Improve access for all people, including young people, to a diversity of artsactivities as audience members and active participants.

3. Sustainability is StrengthenedFoster the further development of existing strengths in the arts.Develop capacity and resilience in individuals, organisations and structures.Support the development of new ideas, practices, outcomes and initiatives.

!!


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Thoughts on Goals:

It is suggested that Goals are particularly important in a policy statement. Twoshort, sharp goals should declare why the ACT Government funds and supportsthe arts. The Goals should also suggest what Government expects in return

from this investment.

Government funding should be directed towards achieving these goals, which willbe supported by more specific arts policies. Applications for funding and acquittalswould need to demonstrate real, preferably measurable, benefits.

Possible New Goals:

1. Increasing participation in the arts

2. Attracting and developing artists and quality art

Strengthening sustainability would clearly continue to be important, but is seen asinherent in the two goals suggested above, and more of an issue of how to ratherthan what to. There are a number of proposals elsewhere in this report dealingwith strategies to improve efficiency and sustainability, and importantly to ensurethat funding is focused more sharply on achieving the two goals suggested above.

In relation to the first suggested goal, participation is seen to be a broader termincorporating engagement. According to the Oxford dictionary, both terms involvetaking part, and participation includes sharing in. Engagement can also meanto hold fast a persons attention or imply a level of intensity of participation. So inthe context of simplifying a goal statement, only the word participation issuggested.

Participation includes people not only taking part directly in the arts andexperiencing creative expression, but also audiences for and consumers of thearts.

In the second suggested goal, the focus is on quality, which incorporatesexcellence in artists and the arts. The terms quality and excellence were found tobe problematic through many consultations. While the importance of quality was

widely recognised, its interpretation and application outside a clear policy context,across community and professional arts, and across cultures, was seen toundermine its true meaning and significance.

Some arts activities and even organisations that had apparently been funded onthe basis of quality were seen to be somewhat dull and lacking in quality, whichraised the question of quality according to whom? The question was also askedas to how the same terms quality and excellence could be the basis of assessingboth experienced professional artists and participants in community arts, many ofwhom would not claim to be producing quality work, but rather enjoyingparticipation for personal satisfaction.


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It is suggested that quality must be retained as an important goal and measure,but it needs to be more consistently meaningful and mainly applied to theprofessional arts.

Participation, and the associated values of social inclusion, satisfaction, pleasure

and fun should mostly be applied to community arts.

9.4 Previous Priority Areas

1. public art

2. community arts

3. arts facilities and cultural institutions

4. key arts organisations

5. arts funding

6. special programs and initiatives

Possible New Priority Areas:

1. Professional Artists Established and Emerging

2. Community Arts

3. Arts Organisations

4. Arts Facilities, Precincts and Planning

5. Arts in Education, Social and Economic Development

6. Public Art

7. Arts Funding

8. Special Initiatives

9.5 Other elements that should be considered for inclusion in some way in anew policy document on the arts and culture are included in the headings in thissection of the report. These could serve as at least a checklist of policy issues or

future directions.

10. The arts and culture can and do deliver major benefits that are vitally important tocommunities and governments. These benefits can sometimes go unnoticed orunrecognised. Many could be of wider interest to governments if the current andpotential value of the contribution of the arts to a variety of policy priority areas wasmore widely appreciated. A brief summary of benefits for consideration as a furthercheck list in developing a new, more broad-ranging policy could include thecontributions of the arts to individuals, as well as to society and the economy:


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Individuals: Experiencing creativity; life long learning; finding meaning and purposeat all ages; identification and expression of personal and cultural identity; buildingself-confidence; connecting and engaging with others; pleasure and fun; physicalhealth and emotional well-being.

Society and Economy: Developing and applying creativity and inspiration;generating ideas; finding new forms of expression; extending the value ofeducation, knowledge and experience; contributing to leadership in innovation;building economies by creating smart new products, services and industries;strengthening networks and communities by building awareness andunderstanding across cultures, ages and genders by bringing diverse peopletogether around a love of art and culture.

6.2 Recommendations

1. A new ACT Arts Policy should set clear goals and priorities to transparently guideACT Government decisions about all areas of future funding and support. NewACT Government Goals for the Arts should be: Increasing participation in the arts;and attracting and developing artists and quality art.

2. In writing a new ACT Arts Policy, there are several ideas and proposals in thissection of the report including comments on vision, princip

Review of the Arts in Canberra - Community Consultation - Final Report by Peter Loxton

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