$73 million for "the Arts" in WA

It is a really valuable injection into many areas that rarely see decent funding, such as the Art Gallery and the Library, and as stated above, all overdue. Details are coming, but I was at the announcement this morning and there seems to be lots going in lots of directions. (and there was mention of theatre, but no details): Public art writing awards (the biggest prize pool in Australia) visual art awards (indigenous focus too) (the biggest prize in Australia) encouragement for philanthropic spending money for big productions put on by WA co's, i.e. to enable them to actually do what they want with their shows... money to enable both the opera and ballet to do more shows. funding for regional venues etc. refit of both concert hall and his maj's money for venue enhancement both metro and regional (which I think may be able to be accessed for community theatre) big injection into local contemporary dance (very overdue) public arts projects throughout Perth city. much more funding to the local tv/film production industry. a big injection into the state library to bring in into the 21st century (finally) and the gallery's ten million will be added to. They are expecting corporates to go dollar for dollar. i.e. actually 20 million to the gallery. if the corps do, the govt will sink another 5 million, with the expectation of another corporate 5. in other words, going from their current $250,000 p/a to acquire artworks to potentially 30 million in the next 3 years. This is a SERIOUS undertaking! and this is what I can remember. I'm sure there was more. It was just so overwhelming! Frankly, I think this is the single most exciting announcement from a govt about the arts in my lifetime. Whilst again I think too much focus for $'s goes to the big 4, there are plenty and varied places, and many of them have been neglected for too long. WA yet again demonstrates itself to be a national leader in arts funding and initiatives, and here's hoping it brings the cultural revolution we all hope for. I can't wait for the detail though...let's see who is going to see the money! I was listening to the radio though, and people are already out there complaining about this announcement. Comments ranging from- where is the money for the RSPCA (????!!!!) to "yet again more money goes to the toffs". I don't know about anyone else, but I certainly am not becoming a millionaire in this arts game...! Anyways, this is important people. Find out what you can, and exploit it. There is a once in a lifetime opportunity to plant the arts square in the consciousness of Western Australians. It's now up to us. Nev It's the simple things stupid...

While it's a great new investment on arts in WA, for me it sounds too much like 'same old, same old'. Governments only seem to be spending on big companies and big venues these days. I'm not denigrating - I think it's wonderful that WA is seeing more arts funding, no matter what's done with it. But it would be nice for one of the states to do something really daring for once - fund some small companies. Fund a new festival. Move away from funding the same bunch of things every time (yes, I know... buildings and venues need to be upgraded and maintained... It'd just be nice to see other things done too) (I'm really not trying to complain... I'm trying to be balanced, but it's not coming off that way...) "RSPCA"... mmm, yes, the arts does tend to go to the dogs! :P Some people are odd. Sticky Apple Legs www.thepromptcopy.com/sal Puppets in Melbourne www.puppetsinmelbourne.com.au My puppets www.collectzing.com/collection/137/

IGNITE Today the Premier, the Hon Alan Carpenter MLA with the Minister for Culture and the Arts the Hon Sheila McHale MLA, announced a new package for arts and culture in Western Australia - the biggest single State Government arts funding injection in the State’s history. The total package of $73million over four years includes $51million of new one-off and capital initiatives titled the Ignite Package. Ignite is a comprehensive and visionary package of arts and cultural initiatives designed to transform dance, theatre, music and visual arts as well as change the shape of WA’s cultural landscape. Ignite will deliver to Western Australia internationally significant arts events; more large scale performances; more national touring performances at key State venues; new cultural funding to regional Western Australia; transform the Premier’s Book Award; celebrate our indigenous artists; create sensational Australian television for and connect all Western Australians to, our arts, culture and entertainment. Ignite will change the public face of our State Library and improve the audience experience at our major performance venues and community facilities across the State. Ignite will also challenge our corporate sector and private individuals to recognise their role in investing in our cultural life as a return on investment for our community. It positions Western Australia as a leading international cultural centre and ensures that Western Australians experience the highest standards and quality in all activities, spaces and places. It will attract an international focus on the State and deliver on community expectations for arts and culture into the future. Delivery of Ignite will be managed through the Department for Culture and the Arts. The program will be delivered from 2008 and further details will be made available early next year. For further information please contact Corporate Affairs at the Department of Culture and the Arts - 9224 7300. To read the Media Statement To view the website IGNITE PACKAGE · Indigenous Art Award - The richest indigenous art awards program in the nation, more than $1.1million over four years will celebrate and honour indigenous art and culture. The prestigious annual awards will recognise individual artists, groups of artists and young artists and attract national and international attention. · Premier’s Australia-Asia Literary Award - This is a ground-breaking award and the richest of its kind in Australia. With $1.2million over four years to recognise excellence in literature, the award will be for a book-length work published in the preceding year, written by an author resident in Australia or Asia. · Art Gallery of WA - Up to $15million for a special Acquisition Fund. $10million of that will be provided in 2008-09. We are challenging the corporate sector to match the $10million dollar for dollar. If they do, the State Government will inject a further $5million. (The current State Government contribution to the gallery’s acquisition fund is $250,000 per year). · Arts Facilities - $12million over four years for capital spending on WA’s most used cultural facility, the State Library, as well as seat upgrades at Perth Concert Hall and a special Arts Capital Fund for facilities at professional arts organisations, clubs and community organisations. · Ballet and Symphony - to benefit from up to $8million to stage more performances, together with increased recurrent funding through indexation of grants. Opera will in turn be able to stage more performances given its increased access to the Symphony. · Regional Ignite - $5.6million over four years will see a 30 per cent increase to regional grants and touring programs, added support for regional literature festivals and extension of the ‘Out there’ project to target regional communities. · Major Production Fund - $5million over four years for a competitive program enabling artists and companies to think big to create exciting new large scale works. This is the first of its kind in Australia. · Sculpture Project - $1.5million over four years for a prestigious international competition to build two major sculptural works to enrich the Perth cityscape. Architects and artists will be invited to team up to submit concepts for one sculpture to be built in 2009 and one in 2011. · Philanthropy Incentive Program - $350,000 over three years to encourage individuals, trusts, organisations or foundations to donate to the arts. Also, a special WA Premier’s Arts Partnership Fund will inject $150,000 over three years for a new incentive program to encourage business to partner with WA arts organisations. · ScreenWest - $3.2million for WA’s screen production agency to create further sensational product and cement the State’s position as one of Australia’s biggest independent production centres. · Large scale international arts events - $3.5million to enable leading international artists to work with WA artists to create large scale public events. Cool... Nev It's the simple things stupid...

http://www.dca.wa.gov.au/ignite.asp It's the simple things stupid...

It is amazing the speed with which a result can appear after a bad show at the polls. Where has the support been? will it continue after the next state election? the past governments of both persuasions have crucified then totally ignored the arts in this state for the past 15 years. Will we end up with an affordable venue for local theatre to perform and excel or will we end up with a venue that only the Festival can afford. A one off token is not what we need, we need continued support and promotion the elevate the level of theatre so that people don't think the money is going to the toffs, which is unfortunately the way the majority view theatre. We have over the years backed ourselves into a closed shop elitist corner and that is how we are viewed, we need to break out of this cocoon and as Neville says it is up to us, but unless this funding is long term it will fail, because the the closed shop minded power brokers in the industry will feather their own nests, as happened in the past when the expenditure for show bore no relation to the projected box office.

If anyone wants to drop Carps a line (that's the Premier, by the way), his contact details are: THE HON ALAN CARPENTER MLA Mail: Premier Alan Carpenter, 197 St George's Terrace, PERTH WA 6000 e-Mail: wa-government@dpc.wa.gov.au Phone number: (08) 9222 9888 - Premier's Office Fax: (08) 9322 1213

You can also give your opinion to the two journalists reporting on this matter: Robert Taylor - robert.taylor@wanews.com.au Kate Campbell - kate.campbell@wanews.com.au

And we are all hoping this will not blow up in our ever desperate faces but will literally pay off in the end for all - large and small. Take of this comment what you will. ~ Tari The Writer is a child forever listening at the keyhole of the adult world.