Canberra’s artists are to be paid fairly for their work under a new policy from the Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate’s artsACT.
Welcoming artsACT’s Canberra: Australia’s Arts Capital – Arts, Culture and Creative Policy 2022-2026, Minister for the Arts, Tara Cheyne said the Policy provided a roadmap for the Territory to achieve its ambition to be recognised as Australia’s arts capital.
“Canberra’s arts, culture and creative sector is strong,” Ms Cheyne said.
“We are a national leader in creative employment, we have the highest arts and creative participation rate across Australia, and we are renowned for our cultural tourism offerings,” she said.
“While we have always celebrated our city’s hidden gems, this is our opportunity to show the world exactly what we have here and what makes Canberra so special – and that what we have is unmissable.”
Ms Cheyne said the Policy comprised of 10 focus areas, “the first of which is elevating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ cultural and artistic practices.”
She said the Policy was accompanied by an Action Plan that outlined activities, both ongoing initiatives and targeted projects, to deliver on the ambition.
“Government has also released Remuneration Principles and Practices for Artists and Arts Workers to promote fair remuneration for artists and arts workers,” the Minister said.
“To fully realise our ambition for Canberra to be the arts capital, we need to value the work of artists and ensure creative work is recognised and remunerated fairly,” she said.
“This document sets out best practice principles on how to remunerate and engage with artists and arts workers.”
Ms Cheyne said artACT had also launched a new Arts Organisation Investment Program framework and guidelines, with applications now open for arts organisations to apply for funding for up to five years.
“We know this is greatly anticipated by the sector, and the Arts Organisation Investment Program will meet the changing needs of the ACT arts community, reset the arts sector and increase vibrancy, relevance, access and sustainability,” she said.
artsACT’s 27-page Arts, Culture and Creative Policy can be accessed at this PS News link.
