The Malinauskas Labor Government will usher in a new era for the arts in South Australia with the development of a landmark state cultural policy focussing on a long-term vision for the sector and the creation of a united arts portfolio.
The Government and the Minister recognise the value of the arts, cultural and creative sector to the South Australian community and we seek to build on and continue to support the achievements of our talented artists, arts organisations and arts workers. This is an exciting opportunity to focus and connect for the benefit of a future direction for the arts in South Australia.
In order to achieve this, a united team within the Department of the Premier and Cabinet (DPC) will take a leadership role in promoting and supporting the arts, cultural and creative sector straight from the heart of the Government under the direction of the Arts Minister, Andrea Michaels.
This will see the administration of the Music Development Office, South Australian Film Corporation, Adelaide Film Festival, Jam Factory and the Creative Industries Division within the Department for Industry, Innovation and Science become part of DPC effective from 1 October. DPC’s Deputy Chief Executive Allison Lloydd-Wright will lead the team.
The development of a new cultural policy will begin shortly and will be released by mid-2024. The policy will be developed together with the arts, cultural and creative sector. It will set a long-term vision for arts, culture and creativity in South Australia and align with the National Cultural Policy Revive.
We know how difficult the pandemic was for the arts, cultural and creative sector and the aftershocks can still be felt with rising costs. Recognising this, the Government will provide multi-year funded arts organisations with a bonus payment equal to indexation for not-for-profits in the 2022/2023 year to provide immediate additional support to our recovering sector.
In addition to the cultural policy, by the end of the year the Government will launch the Terms of Reference for the previously announced Taskforce into sustainable careers for artists and arts workers and will seek Expressions of Interest from the sector to join the Taskforce.
Hand in hand with the consultation on the new cultural policy, the Department will also consult on new legislation that will recognise and enshrine the value of arts, culture and creativity.
Quotes
Attributable to Andrea Michaels
South Australia is globally renowned for its extraordinary arts, culture and creative sector and this is an exciting new chapter as we embark on a landmark state cultural policy to set a long-term vision for the sector in our state.
We will have a united arts portfolio, working strategically and collaboratively across government to support and promote arts, culture and creativity.
The Malinauskas Government was elected to benefit future generations of South Australians and we know how vital arts, culture and creativity are to our state’s social, cultural and economic prosperity. It’s time to reimagine the future of this important sector in South Australia.
Attributable to Sandy Verschoor, Chair of the Art Gallery of South Australia
Arts and culture are deeply embedded in the DNA of South Australians and I welcome this major announcement from the Malinauskas Government.
The arts are intrinsic to who we are and I look forward to working with the Minister and the broader sector on a new cultural policy that will shape the future of the arts for our state.
As a leading cultural institution, the Art Gallery of South Australia hopes to make a significant contribution to these important discussions.
Brian Parkes, Chief Executive Officer of JamFactory
The creation of a united team for the arts, cultural and creative sector is a pivotal moment for the arts in South Australia.
Everyone here at Jam Factory is excited about the opportunities this presents to work together across the sector for the future benefit of our artists, makers and creatives.
Jessica Alice, Chair of the Arts Industry Council of South Australia
The Arts Industry Council welcomes the announcement of additional funding to reflect indexation pressures, which will particularly support the small to medium arts organisations that are the foundation of the arts sector.
It’s great to see that the Malinauskas Government is developing a long-term vision for the arts with the creation of a new state cultural policy as we work constructively with the Government to address the issues impacting the lives and careers of artists and arts workers.