The ACT Government has an ambition for Canberra to be recognised as Australia’s arts capital.
To help achieve this ambition, the ACT Government today released Canberra: Australia’s Arts Capital – Arts, Culture and Creative Policy 2022-2026.
Minister for the Arts Tara Cheyne said the new policy provides the roadmap for the ACT Government to achieve the aim for Canberra to be recognised as Australia’s arts capital, as articulated in Canberra: Australia’s Arts Capital – Arts, Culture and Creative Policy 2022-2026.
“Canberra’s arts, culture and creative sector is strong. We are a national leader in creative employment, we have the highest arts and creative participation rate across Australia, and we are renowned for our cultural tourism offerings.
“While we have always celebrated our city’s hidden gems, this is our opportunity to show the world exactly what we have here and what makes Canberra so special – and that what we have is unmissable.
“This new policy is the result of consultation with Canberra’s arts, cultural and creative sector and the broader ACT community.
“It comprises ten focus areas, the first of which is elevating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ cultural and artistic practices.”
The Policy is accompanied by an Action Plan which outlines activities, both ongoing initiatives and targeted projects, to deliver on the ambition.
A new Arts Organisation Investment Program framework and guidelines have also been released, with applications now open for arts organisations to apply for funding for up to five years.
“We know this is greatly anticipated by the sector, and the Arts Organisation Investment Program will meet the changing needs of the ACT arts community, reset the arts sector and increase vibrancy, relevance, access and sustainability.
“Further support will be provided through a boost in funding to leading arts organisations. Funding for arts organisations will increase by around 10 per cent, providing a total of over $7.9 million per year to Canberra’s leading arts organisations to support arts organisations’ operational costs and contribute to the costs of their activities.”
The Government has also released Remuneration Principles and Practices for Artists and Arts Workers to promote fair remuneration for artists and arts workers.
“To fully realise our ambition for Canberra to be the arts capital, we need to value the work of artists and ensure creative work is recognised and remunerated fairly.
“This document sets out best practice principles on how to remunerate and engage with artists and arts workers.”
