WA state budget: more bad news for the arts

Already reeling from the Federal Budget, the battling arts sector in WA received more bad news in the state budget.

Recurrent arts funding remained almost static at about $25 million. Traditionally, the arts have received between 0.52% and 1% of Government expenditure.

Even of more concern was that The Department of Culture and Arts is one of the departments targeted to cut expenditure over the next 12 months.

According to Budget papers, WA experienced the nation’s highest average annual rate of growth in creative employment from 2006 to 2011. “This growth is anticipated to continue, supported by the Department of Culture and the Arts’ investment in a targeted grants program, large scale metropolitan activities such as Artrage’s Fringe World Festival, and DCA investment in regional activity.”

The only good news came for concert venues and regional development.

The Perth Stadium gets $1.2 billion including travel infrastructure. Her Majesty’s Theatre will have its fire system upgraded as part of the $6.5 million venues-maintenance program. The State also announced a five-year commitment to run the Albany Entertainment Centre.

There is $8 million for the Perth International Arts Festival and Fringe World 2015 (last year Fringe World drew 400,000 patrons).

The Creative Regions program will see $6.8 million in royalties directed towards enhancing artistic vibrancy in the bush.

The Chamber of Arts and Culture WA said it held “grave concerns” for the health of the sector, especially the small to medium arts organisations, and that it could not flourish without a greater investment in people and programs.

“No-one underestimates the financial challenges that this State faces,” its Chairman Warwick Hemsley said. “But we do need to be more proactive in supporting a sector that brings so many benefits to those that live, work and visit here.” He added, “Static funding without indexation may result in death by a thousand cuts.”

An additional $11 million for regional tourism marketing could have a flow-on effect for music and arts events.