The McGowan Government has introduced legislation to Parliament to establish a new body to oversee Western Australia’s theatre venues and other cultural assets.
The Arts and Culture Trust will replace the Perth Theatre Trust (PTT), which manages some of WA’s iconic theatres including His Majesty’s Theatre and the State Theatre Centre. The PTT also manages venues outside the City of Perth such as Albany Entertainment Centre and Subiaco Arts Centre.
The new Trust will differ from the PTT in many regards including:
- the Trust’s responsibility will extend to a variety of art and cultural venues and public spaces on an ongoing basis rather than just being limited to theatres;
- the Trust will have a State-wide focus and ability to engage in commercial activities in relation to the properties vested under its care; and
- the Trust will have the capacity to optimise the potential of the assets it controls, creating flow-on benefits for local businesses around Trust properties.
Its role would include attracting and contracting events, activities and commercial tenancies to enliven cultural assets such as the Perth Cultural Centre (PCC).
These would encourage people to visit both the PCC and attractions such as the Art Gallery of WA, State Library of WA, and the New Museum as well as nearby shops and restaurants.
As stated by Culture and Arts Minister David Templeman:
“Successive governments over many years have identified the need for reform in relation to the management of WA’s cultural assets.
“The Arts and Culture Trust will help achieve the Government’s vision of a having a body that can not only manage theatres, but also other cultural assets around the State entrusted to its care.
“This vision cannot be achieved with the PTT under the current Perth Theatre Trust Act 1979.
“I’m also pleased the Trust will have a mandate to activate public spaces on an ongoing basis.
“This follows on from the outstanding success the Metropolitan Development Authority (now DevelopmentWA) had in activating Yagan Square and Perth Cultural Centre.
“In doing so, it will of course work with bodies such as DevelopmentWA, other government agencies and local government.
“Importantly, the Trust will have broader powers to optimise the potential of the assets it controls. This will help create flow-on benefits for local businesses around Trust properties, which will help create much-needed jobs in the cultural tourism sector, along with the hospitality and retail sectors.”
Minister’s office – 6552 5400
