Page 2538 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 31 July 2019
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government has been providing to upgrade their facilities to host live music and attract new audiences rather than relying on the dying business model of poker machines. I look forward to his ongoing support for this increased diversification work in the future.
As Minister for the Arts and Cultural Events, I note the progress that has been made in the planning space with regard to protecting and fostering Canberra’s live music scene. I also note that there is more work to be done, with reference to Minister Gentleman’s comments.
Live music and entertainment are an important part of the life of our cool little capital. I want to correct an impression that was given during Mr Parton’s speech. Because of his efforts to make some political points, there was reference to this being a stale city. Canberra is by no means a stale city. Our arts scene and music scene are very strong. They are thriving. Let me give just one example. Art, Not Apart is an excellent example of a festival that demonstrates, highlights, showcases and celebrates our arts, including our very strong music scene. The ACT events calendar is packed full of events, both large and small, that have people travelling to Canberra, not away from Canberra, because of the strength of that scene.
The Canberra music community is diverse, collaborative and inclusive. It is a unique music community full of performers, composers, promoters, bands, solo artists, ensembles and a symphony orchestra, who closely collaborate to bring this city a diverse offering of great musical experiences. This is achieved in partnership with our venues and organisations that support and develop live music here in Canberra.
One of those organisations is MusicACT. I note that they have been with us during the day. I want to thank musician Danny Pratt, who put on a great show at lunchtime on board the Soul Defender, just out in Civic Square. Danny has just arrived back from six years in the United States. He commented to me at lunchtime today that the ACT is doing a great job of fostering musicians.
The ACT government provides significant arts funding, including for musicians and bands to record new work, to compose, to participate in residencies and to perform. In the case of MusicACT, the government provides significant funding for them to deliver a program of professional development activities, building the capacity of Canberra’s great musicians. Danny mentioned at lunchtime today how helpful one of those MusicACT forums was that he attended just last night. My thanks to MusicACT for their ongoing strong, important, good work.
Across all art forms, the ACT government is committed to the vitality of the Canberra region, creating and maintaining opportunities for Canberrans to participate in the arts. We fund individual artists, community art groups and arts organisations, including for sector capacity building. We know that Canberra has a vibrant contemporary music sector which has both national and international reach. It makes a strong contribution to Canberra as a livable, lively capital. As a major contributor to our local and national economy, music is central to the identity of our city.
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