Current Issues
Contributing to a new National Cultural Policy
On the 27th October 2009, Federal Arts Minister, Peter Garrett, addressed the National Press Club to outline the Federal Government's direction for their National Cultural Policy to 2020. During his speech Mr Garrett invited the Australian general public to engage in a dialogue with the Government to contribute to the development of the new policy.
AMPAG welcomes this opportunity to discuss the importance of culture to Australian society and assist in its advancement. Our submission outlines the importance of the major performing arts companies to the cultural fabric of Australia and recommends practical solutions to improving ways that people can directly participate and engage in culture and the arts and how we can ‘grow the pie’ to support this.
To go the National Cultural Policy Forum website click here
Arts & Education
Orchestra Victoria: Violin
rehearsal with Rachel GamerThe Australian State & Territory Education Ministers have unanimously endorsed a plan to develop and implement a national curriculum for the arts, from kindergarten to year 12, in the second stage of curriculum development beginning in 2011.
Intensive lobbying by the arts sector highlighted international research proving the value of an arts rich curriculum to children’s cognitive development. This created a rethink by the government regarding their earlier view that subjects such as Music, Dance, Drama and Visual Arts would not be considered in the first two phases of the new curriculum.
On 3 June 2009 the Australian Education Ministers announced the membership of the new Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) which will be responsible for the management of curriculum, assessment and reporting at the national level. Details can be found at www.acara.edu.au/curriculum.html
AMPAG Education managers have formed a network and made a submission to ACARA expressing their united support for sequential and developmental learning pathways for all Australian students. They believe that this curriculum should enhance and improve upon the existing practices in school arts education. This paper represents the combined views of the Education Network of the AMPAG companies expressed to ACARA as part of the public and ongoing debate around the National Arts Curriculum.
The companies stress that experiencing live arts performance is an essential component in arts learning and has a vital role in the education of all young people. Live performance is the core business of MPA companies, and as such they are in a unique position to partner with education providers.
For more details on the education work of AMPAG companies click here.
An international showcase for Australia’s talent
There is a growing curiosity and interest from overseas in just why Australia has so many individual artists of great talent and successful ensembles able to excite audiences in major world capitals and throughout the Asia/Pacific area.
Bangarra Dance Theatre, Sydney Dance Company, Circus Oz and Australian Chamber Orchestra are all categorised as International Flagship companies with a focus on international touring. Musica Viva is continuing its decade long commitment to touring smaller ensembles to countries across our region in conjunction with the Australian embassies.
With the costs of travel so high for Australian based companies AMPAG is seeking new investment in international touring support from the Federal Government targeting DFAT and other departments. This will enable the performing arts to meet their potential internationally. After all, our international reputation as a creative and dynamic nation is closely tied with achievement in the arts and culture as well as in science and education.
For more information on international tours being undertaken by major performing arts companies click here.
Taxation reform in the arts
For a number of years AMPAG has been working with a taxation expert preparing submissions to the Federal Government on potential taxation reforms which would benefit the arts sector. The previous Government had agreed in principal to the proposed reforms and these were resubmitted last year however only one of the four issues put forward was accepted. AMPAG is now working with the partner on resubmitting the proposal. The key concerns are the 75% test on GST applied to tickets and the allowable contributions to a charitable institution which only allows the benefit component to be GST free.
Greening the Performing Arts
Our member companies are leading the way in 'greening' their performance and administration venues. For more info on these exciting initiatives please go to Greening the Performing Arts.
Towards an Arts and Disability National Policy
On 9 October 2009, the Cultural Ministers Council agreed to the National Arts and Disability Strategy, which sets out a vision for improving access and participation in the artistic and cultural activities for people with disabilities. AMPAG companies are working to improve accessibility to performances and their physical infrastructure so that all Australians can enjoy high quality performance.
The National Arts and Disability Strategy sets out eight underlying principles that will guide its implementation. The priority areas are:
- Addressing barriers to access and participation;
- Supporting artistic and cultural practice amongst those with a disability;
- Developing audiences for disability arts companies and individual artists; and
- Improving policy development and planning within governments.
Helping to create exciting cities and towns
At state level, companies are involved in policy making to create exciting city environments and taking the best of Australian work to the towns and regional cities where the performing arts are a hot spot for community life.
National touring is an integral part of enhancing the liveability of a regional centre. AMPAG is a member of the Performing Arts Touring Alliance (PATA) which is working with other presenters and producers to develop a self sustaining body focused on a cohesive national touring environment that facilitates improved working relationships across the sector.
At a capital city level AMPAG companies based in Melbourne were involved in plans to create an expanded arts precinct south of the Yarra. This has resulted in the new MTC Theatre and the Melbourne Recital Centre which hosts the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra and Musica Viva, amongst others. In Perth the new State Theatre at Northbridge is due to open in 2010.
For more information about community development programs, see Building Stronger Communities.