Page 2860 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 17 September 2014

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(i) the Australia Council on the Arts currently does not fund the ACT at a fair level compared with other jurisdictions; and

(j) Federal, State and Territory Arts Ministers will meet at the Meeting of Cultural Ministers in Alice Springs in October; and

(2) calls on the Minister for the Arts to:

(a) continue to support the development of arts and cultural activity in the ACT;

(b) continue to advocate on behalf of ACT artists with the Australia Council and the Meeting of Cultural Ministers; and

The ACT community is one of the most artistically engaged communities in Australia. We are fortunate to have magnificent national galleries and museums, as well as a thriving local arts culture. It is clear that Canberrans take advantage of this because we have the highest attendance rates at cultural venues and events of any jurisdiction in Australia. The ACT government recognises the benefits of providing the people of Canberra with opportunities to enjoy and participate in arts and culture.

Providing broad access opportunities for our community to participate in the arts at all levels is one of the key principles of the ACT arts policy framework. The arts play an important role in society and the local community. The arts enrich us all in our daily lives. There is a large body of evidence that demonstrates the strong links between participation in arts and cultural activities and improved wellbeing, and improved social cohesion and inclusion.

The government provides significant arts funding and a broad range of quality arts facilities to support our artists and arts organisations. These organisations provide a diverse range of opportunities for the community to access and participate in across the arts, and to nurture and develop individual artists. Canberra artists are nationally and internationally recognised across all fields. The ACT is home to many highly regarded artists and art organisations that underpin the quality of arts experiences for the community.

Developing arts hubs, such as Gorman House and Ainslie arts centres and the Kingston Foreshore arts precinct, are a significant part of achieving the goals of the ACT arts policy framework. We have also provided capital upgrades for the Tuggeranong Arts Centre and the Street Theatre.

Early engagement with the arts provides for a life-long love of the arts. Arts programs for young people can improve a student’s enjoyment of school, and thereby their academic achievement and job readiness, and have been shown to reduce anti-social behaviour.

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