Labor launches new arts policy, investing millions into Australian music
The Australian Labor Party will today announce plans for investment of millions of dollars into the Australian music industry if it takes on Government next weekend.
The ALP’s new music and arts policy, set to be announced this afternoon, details unprecedented amounts of financial support for the industry.
APRA AMCOS CEO Dean Ormston has welcomed the news in a statement issued to The Industry Observer. “Policy certainty is critical for the entire cultural sector, and the announcement today provides an important framework for our industry,” Ormston said.
“As clearly articulated in the House Standing Committee on Communications and the Arts’ inquiry into factors contributing to the growth and sustainability of the Australian music, with the right government and industry partnership Australia has the potential to go from a music nation to a music powerhouse,” Ormston continues.
The new package details funding across all areas in art, including multicultural arts programs, First Nations’ professional development and continuation of pre-existing programs and education, expansion of opportunities into regional areas, and the un-doing of Liberal cuts to the arts industry.
It also includes funding to set in place regulation around ticket scalping, and fake art and copyright issues.
“The commitment to boost funding for the Australia Council as well as announcements to support live music venues, indigenous music and women in music programs is to be applauded,” Ormston said.
It has becoming increasingly known that the music industry, and in particular, Sydney’s nightlife, is struggling. Festivals are being forced to cease operation, and a lack of music opportunities nationally is becoming a long-held issue.
This news is crucial in undoing the mess that’s been made, and creating opportunities for years to come.
“Placing live music at the heart of this policy is key to the development and presentation of musical talent. We already know that as well as providing the platform for our emerging and established artists, live music in our cities, regional centres and towns provides them with a competitive advantage, driving jobs, tourism and supporting the night-time economy,” the APRA AMCOS CEO said.
‘With targeted investment in music education, export, indigenous creators and live music venues, Australia now has the policy potentially to place us front and centre of the global music ecosystem.’
The Industry Observer has compiled key components of Federal Labor’s new arts policy:
First Nations:
This new funding package includes funding for First Nations creative people and bodies – with the inclusion of a cash boost for First Nations’ theatre and dance companies.
It also sets aside funding for indigenous arts and languages programs, as well as consultation to combat the distribution of fake indigenous art.
Diversity
Regional arts:
- As part of its regional arts program, the proposed Shorten Labor Government has committed $5 million to refurbish Ballarat’s Her Majesty’s Theatre.
- $1 million per year has been pledged to support professional development, and increase employment among regional and remote artists.
- It will have a focus on artistic skills development among First Nations’ communities, young people, and people in very remote areas.
Cultural diversity:
- The funding will provide $3.5 million towards multicultural arts and festivals, as well as ensure the cultural policy reflects and celebrates modern multicultural Australia.
Accessibility:
- The funding will ensure Labor can revitalise the national arts and disability strategy, engage in working towards its implementation, and measure its outcomes.
- Through increased funding to the Australia Council and among the arts sector, a Labor government has committed to fostering and maintaining new partnerships between small-to-medium and independent organisations that develop shared approaches to boosting arts presentation and employment for those with a disability.
Artists
Education:
- Labor’s investment includes support for schools to deliver a comprehensive curriculum, which will include an arts education in drama, dance, media arts, music, and visual arts.
- Artists in schools will bring the curriculum to life by teaching students valuable skills in artistic and design thinking.
- $6 million is being allocated to Music Hubs in communities
- $7.6 million is being allocated to youth music programs
- $2.5 million is being allocated to support skills development and mentoring opportunities throughout regions with high rates of youth unemployment.
- The ARIA Music Teacher award will also be expanded to four categories – primary, secondary, community and remote music teachers; thanks to $600,000 of Labor funding.
Training organisations:
- Labor will restore cuts made to arts institutions over four years and provide indexed funding on an ongoing basis.
- Institutions include: Australia’s National First Nations’ Dance College, Australian National Academy of Music, NIDA, Australian Youth Orchestra, Circusoz, Flying Fruit Fly Circus, and the Australian Ballet School. This will be at least $2.3 million over time.
- $5 million is being invested for stage 1 of a new centre of national Indigenous creative learning called Naya Wa Yugali.
- $250,000 is also being allocated to the Association of Artist Managers [AAM] to train new and emerging artist managers.
Mental health:
- Labor is allocating $5 million over five years to music industry organisation Support Act.
- $200,000 is also being allocated to them to devise a comprehensive mental health program.
Fair pay for artists:
- Labor will invest in devising a standard for industry fees, and put a stop to ‘exposure’ being accepted as a form of payment. Gone will be the days of playing free shows for exposure.
Safe workplaces:
- Labor will formalise their current cultural policy that those who work in creative industries have an absolute right to a workplace free from harassment.
This article originally appeared on The Industry Observer, which is now part of The Music Network.