LPA calls on Govt to return $72.8M to arts

Following Music Australia’s call on the Federal Government to recognise the contribution the music industry makes to Australia’s economy and culture, Live Performance Australia has delivered its own request today.

The peak body for Australia’s live performance industry wants to be considered in the upcoming Federal Budget on 3 May. Specifically, it wants returned the $72.8 million over four years the Government took from the Australia Council last year.

“We are very concerned that due to the unprecedented funding cuts to the Australia Council last year and impending funding announcements next month, we expect to see 40% of our small to medium companies lose funding and face going under,” said LPA Chief Executive, Evelyn Richardson. “That’s 18 to 20 companies that won’t be creating new productions, hundreds of people out of work and lost revenue.”

LPA has been working with its major funding body Australia Council to formalise its five-year Strategic Plan, which includes investing in the small to medium sector. The body can’t deliver on its Plan to deliver growth and jobs without Government backing.

Key to the Strategic Plan is the Cultural Places program. The program relies on Government involvement to improve access to the arts by pinpointing areas for cultural development and participation.Australia Council for the Arts Chief Executive Officer Tony Grybowskitold TMN before arts funding was cut that the initiative “increases opportunities for artists and local communities to directly participate in the arts and collaborate.”

In LPA’s announcement today Evelyn Richardson noted the body expects to see any Catalyst money not committed rolled over, to ensure that new projects can be supported.

“The Government allocated $12m per annum for four years but to date has only announced $1.6m in projects. The Government must commit to delivering the rest of the Catalyst funding. We do not want to see Government pocket more than $10m that it allocated to our industry.”

Live music is one of the fastest growing parts of Australia’s economy; it employs 34,000 people and generates strong employment growth. As pointed out in Music Australia’s Statistical Snapshotreport last month, as covered byTMN, 99% of Australians listen to music and attend a music event in any one year. Australia’s live contemporary music industry alone generates revenues of $2.5 billion annually.

It supports more than 500 performing arts companies around Australia, and attracts more than 18 million Australians to shows in capital cities, regional centres and country towns,” said Richardson.

“More Australians in a year will see a live show than AFL, NRL, A-League, Super Rugby, Test Cricket and the Big Bash combined. It’s time for the Government to step up and deliver.”