Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 6 Hansard (24 May) . . Page.. 1686 ..

MR HIRD (4.15): Mr Speaker, I move:

Mr Speaker, I would like to congratulate and acknowledge the recipients of triennial arts funding for their artistic excellence, their innovative management of resources, and their contribution to making the arts a highly valued part of this community. The ACT government funds 13 significant local arts organisation through multi-year funding program agreements, i.e. triennial funding. These organisations are on triennial funding because they have shown a high level of achievement and development in promoting excellence in the art form within the territory, clarity of artistic vision and outcomes, an outstanding level of quality innovation in arts activity, a demonstrated capacity for efficient, high-level financial management in administration, and a capacity to make a major contribution to our community.

There are many triennial arts organisations that show extraordinary innovation in their management. These organisations continue to enrich the lives of people of the territory. One such organisation, Mr Speaker, is the Canberra Symphony Orchestra. It is a prime example of innovative management at its best. The organisation provides the ACT region with an extensive series of concerts. It attracts leading national and international conductors and soloists and employs over 100 musicians. The Canberra Symphony Orchestra receives 53 per cent of its income from box office receipts, 28 per cent from sponsorship and 17 per cent from the ACT government, thus indicating that it is an efficient and economic operation. Relative to orchestras in other states and territories, the Canberra Symphony Orchestra is setting best practice in Australia.

Mr Wood: Are you going tonight? They have a concert tonight.

MR HIRD: Thank you, Mr Wood. I have another engagement that I am committed to. I would have been enriched by your kind invitation. It is through triennial funding, Mr Speaker, that arts organisations produce high-quality artistic projects and innovative and informative presentations to the Canberra community, achieve high levels of audience participation, contribute to activity in the arts in the daily lives of all of us, and plan future activities from a secure funding base. If continued, triennial funding will contribute not only to allowing organisations to engage in long-term planning but also to improving the quality of the distinctiveness of the arts within the ACT and beyond.

Mr Speaker, the budget brought down by Treasurer Humphries yesterday included an extra $260,000 for the arts grants program. This will bring the program to $3.34 million to the year 2001. I know that Mr Wood, as the shadow arts minister, would be interested

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .