AUSTRALIA’S $17 billion arts and entertainment industry received a welcome boost last week after being one of the hardest hit sectors through Covid lockdowns.
The Federal Government’s new National Cultural Policy Revive is aimed at empowering artists and arts organisations to thrive and grow.
Backed by $286 million in dedicated funding over four years, Revive’s centrepiece is the establishment of Creative Australia.
Creative Australia will expand on and modernise the Australia Council’s work with additional funding of $200 million over four years.
Funding decisions will be made on the basis of artistic merit and at arm’s length from government.
Within Creative Australia four new bodies will be established, a new First Nations-led body that will give First Nations people autonomy over decisions and investments, Music Australia, a dedicated new body to support and invest in the Australian contemporary music industry, Writers Australia, to support writers and illustrators to create new works and a new Centre for Arts and Entertainment Workplaces to ensure creative workers are paid fairly and have safe workplaces free from harassment and discrimination.
Revive also commits the Government to regulating Australian content on streaming platforms, improving lending rights and incomes for Australian writers, and increased funding for regional art.
Member for Blair Shayne Neumann launched a new Ipswich arts association, Art from Within last week and said the National Cultural Policy would help Ipswich artists to thrive and grow.
“Like Art from Within and its members, I’m keen to see more artistic and cultural opportunities for our fast-growing region, and more long-term sustainable careers in the creative sector for local artists,” Mr Neumann said.
“Revive will also help us showcase artworks and stories from our region to the rest of Australia and audiences beyond.
“In particular, Revive aims to boost cultural infrastructure in places like Ripley and Springfield, and funding for regional art, which provides great opportunities for the burgeoning arts scene here in Ipswich, the Somerset Region and Karana
