Page 2791 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 6 October 2021
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MS CHEYNE: I thank Ms Orr for the question. The Statement of Ambition for the Arts proudly aims for Canberra to be recognised as Australia’s arts capital. What this means in practice is that no matter who you are, no matter where you are, you will want to be creating, participating or engaging in the arts in Canberra. This ambition is drawn from the many conversations I have had with our city’s beloved artists, creators, arts workers and organisations about the value and potential of the arts to our economy and to our way of life.
This is a bold step, but it is not a leap. Canberra has always been a place for people who embrace arts, culture and creativity. This is about taking it to the next level. This ambition and its associated strategies will guide short- and medium-term decisions, acting as the framework and context to craft our ACT arts policy and ACT arts funding model, in partnership with the community. The ambition also includes two signification announcements along the way. The ACT will host an arts expo—a festival likely to be held in 2023-24 showcasing “Australia’s Arts Capital” to locals and interstate and international visitors, and, secondly, a commitment by the ACT government to formally explore how to position the ACT internationally as a “city of design”.
MS ORR: Minister, can you please detail the three key strategies which underpin your Statement of Ambition for the Arts?
MS CHEYNE: I thank Ms Orr for the supplementary question. Canberra will become recognised as Australia’s arts capital through three core strategies. The first is to create amazing art and culture—everywhere, at any time, for everyone. The second is to develop arts, cultural and creative industry, practice, and facilities—supporting creation and culture at all levels, via any path. The third is to promote our arts and culture to attract artists and creators, arts workers, visitors and investment.
These are distinct but related; each strategy supports the others. Creation of amazing art and culture is supported through investing in artistic capacity and capability, and in our arts and cultural facilities. By relentlessly and proudly promoting our arts and culture, we attract artists, creators, arts workers, visitors and investors—and they, in turn, enhance and increase our industry, practices, and creations. This ambition and the strategies which support it will be the lenses through which our short- and medium-term decisions will be made.
DR PATERSON: Minister, what funding initiatives support your Statement of Ambition?
MS CHEYNE: I thank Dr Paterson for the question. One of the first steps of the Statement of Ambition is a range of significant funding initiatives. To be truly recognised as Australia’s arts capital, the ACT needs to compete on a national level and beyond. The ACT government is investing more than $10 million in additional arts funding for the growth of opportunities and outcomes for our local artists and arts workers, and in the arts organisations and cultural facilities that can further enable Canberra’s artists and arts workers to thrive.
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