Output 3.5 Arts and Engagement
Overview
The directorate supports the development of the arts, encouraging community participation in and access to the arts through supporting artistic excellence and diversity, strengthening the sustainability of the arts, and promoting the capacity for the arts to contribute to social and economic outcomes.
Highlights
In 2017-18 the directorate:
- provided funding of $5.9 million to 25 arts organisations, $1.7 million in community outreach funding (including to the ANU School of Music and School of Art and Design) and $0.85 million for over 80 individual arts projects;
- released the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Consultation Report and the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Action Plan (the Action Plan). The Action Plan details future outcomes for the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts communities;
- established the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Network as a working group to
co-design future Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts programs. Establishment of the Network is an outcome of the Action Plan and is in line with the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Agreement principle of supporting the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to freely determine their political status and to freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development in line with the right to self-determination; - developed program principles in conjunction with the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Network to guide engagement and the development of specific Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts programs;
- continued to work across government on the development of the Kingston Arts Precinct;
- facilitated information exchange with arts organisations regarding cultural tourism;
- provided baseline funding for arts projects to the value of $850,000 including for film projects delivered through Screen Canberra;
- introduced new arrangements on 1 June 2018 for Arts Activities Funding as part of the Arts Funding Plan with further arrangements for organisations being developed;
- commenced funding the ANU School of Music advanced music performance at $250,000 per year for four years;
- commenced funding for the Art, Not Apart festival for three years to 2020 at $130,000 per year;
- finalised design and tendered construction of new stairs for building egress at Gorman House Arts Centre as part of a $900,000 initiative announced in 2017-18 for improvements at five arts centres over four years;
- completed work on fire system improvements ($200,000) at the Street Theatre which included new fire detectors, fire indicator panel and additional site hydrant;
- completed the tendering process and preliminary design for the $15 million Belconnen Arts Centre Stage Two. Stage Two works comprise of an extension to the existing building that will include a new multi-use performance/town hall space, new administration space, new dance studio and additional exhibition space;
- managed the ACT Public Art collection including planned and unscheduled maintenance as well as minor conservation works to Ethos and electrical upgrades to various artworks;
- delivered a highly successful temporary exhibition of sixteen public artworks at Floriade 2017 including two commissioned artworks to be permanently installed off-site and one ephemeral artwork located at Regatta Point;
- participated in an Auditor-General’s Performance Audit examining the effectiveness of selected ACT Government agencies’ management of public art and commenced implementation of the report recommendations including preparation of a comprehensive collection maintenance plan;
- undertook secretariat duties and planning for the annual Meeting of Cultural Ministers and associated meetings of Officials;
- released the Social Inclusion in the Arts: 2017 Plan;
- worked in collaboration with Wellington City Council to initiate the Canberra Wellington Indigenous Artist Exchange pilot which will strengthen cultural connections between our cities, and acknowledge and celebrate what is unique to each place; and
- increased artsACT’s communications capabilities to include video which is being utilised to showcase Canberra artists and arts activities.
The directorate met all 2017-18 accountability indicators against this output, exceeding all five;
- Number of art organisations supporting community participation - was 26 for the 2017-18 financial year, exceeding the target of 25;
- Number of engagement activities with the community on arts and cultural matters – five were carried out during the year exceeding the target of four;
- Number of attendees at programs delivered by artsACT funded organisations - there were 459,000 attendees, exceeding the estimated target of 350,000. This variance is a result of variations in programming across Keys Arts Organisations and Program Organisations;
- Tenants satisfaction with management of community arts facilities - the satisfaction survey surpassed targets with 89% of tenants satisfied with the service and assistance they received from community arts facilities. This is a favourable variance above the target of 80% as a result of most respondents being satisfied; and
- Satisfaction with the management of grants administered by artsACT - 88% were satisfied with the service and assistance they received which is a favourable variance above the target of 80%. The survey assesses various aspects of the grants process and rated highly against the application, assessment, acquittal and staff assistance processes and this is reflected in the results.
Future Direction
In 2018-19 the directorate will:
- develop an arts engagement plan to outline opportunities for the community and arts sector to discuss trends, common interests and goals and create a framework for an exceptional art experience in Canberra including investigating an arts innovation hub;
- commence delivery arrangements for pop up arts activities in Woden and Gungahlin;
- implement outcomes identified in the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Action Plan; work with the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Network to establish programs; and establish a new identified position for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Officer within artsACT;
- finalise the Arts Funding Plan including:
- development of a new model for Arts Organisation funding in consultation with the sector;
- delivery of the new model for Arts Activities Funding including monitoring and continuous improvement; and
- commencement of new arrangements for Capacity Building activities for artists and arts organisations;
- continue the delivery of the $15 million Belconnen Arts Centre Stage 2 including completion of Phase 1 (detailed design) and commencement of Phase 2 (construction) and work with the Belconnen Arts Centre including the development of programs in readiness for the opening of the new centre;
- continue the delivery of improvements to five arts centres ($880,000 over four years). Upgrades to be completed at Ainslie Arts Centre, Gorman House Arts Centre, Strathnairn Arts, Tuggeranong Arts Centre and Watson Arts Centre;
- create better arts facilities ($250,000) through work on a specialist asset replacement scheme to guide asset management of arts facilities and commence scheme implementation. Complete investigations and design for Watson Arts Centre kiln shed rectification works;
- continue management of the public art collection including finalisation of a comprehensive maintenance plan to guide conservation works and scheduled maintenance;
- organise and undertake secretariat duties for the Meeting of Cultural Ministers and Officials meeting in September 2018;
- deliver the Canberra Wellington Indigenous Artist Exchange pilot, which will entail sending a local Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander artist to Wellington and hosting a Wellington-based Māori artist in Canberra; and
- establish a new Ministerial advisory mechanism for the Arts.
Further information can be obtained from
Kareena Arthy
Deputy Director-General
Economic Development
+ 61 2 6207 5564
Kareena.Arthy@act.gov.au
Sam Tyler
Director - artsACT
Economic Development
+ 61 2 6205 4365
Sam.Tyler@act.gov.au