Arts and Culture Economic Recovery Plan
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Arts and Culture Economic Recovery Plan Response to the Western Australian Government’s Recovery Planning Framework July 2020 Contents Creative Industries in WA 02 Introduction 03 Immediate and Ongoing Impact 04 COVID-19 Response Proposals 07 Recommendations 08 Jobs and Employment 10 Respond to Community Needs 12 Diversify the Western Australian Economy 14 Future-Proof the Western Australian Arts and Culture Sector 16 Chamber Members 18 Corporate Partners 21 About Us 22 Chamber Board 23 The Chamber of Arts and Culture WA acknowledges Traditional Owners of Country throughout Western Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders both past and present. 4 Western Australian Museum night view. Photo by Peter Bennett. CREATIVE INDUSTRIES IN WA • The WA creative industries contribute and Introduction estimated $3.3 billion in Industry Value Add (IVA) to the WA economy in 2018-19 and generated an estimated $175.9 million in service exports. The impacts of the COVID-19 disruption on the art and cultural sector will have a long tail. Not only are there the immediate logistical and financial • The WA creative industries employ approximately impacts, but the sector will need to adapt to changes in production, consumer 53,000 people. behaviour and community priorities. The sector covers a wide range of experiences from major events and concerts through to screen production • There are approximately 10,000 creative and community-based participation, recovery will need targeted response to businesses in WA – 60% of them sole traders. specific issues. • The WA Aboriginal arts sector generates 61% of Arts and cultural activity will contribute towards the creation of a positive Aboriginal sales nationally. narrative for Western Australia’s recovery. Landmark events such as the • Western Australian’s recognition of the value of opening of the Western Australian Museum will engender a sense of pride, arts and culture was recorded at its highest level optimism and belonging within our community, as will the activation of in 2019 particularly around the role that it plays in venues and public spaces. A well-managed return of performing arts events the community. will support business in local tourism, retail and hospitality. • Between the 2011 and 2016 Census collections, Investment in recovery needs to support a longer-term vision for the sector. creative employment in Australia grew by an Changes in economy, technology and society have been challenging average of 2.2% per annum, nearly twice that of business models for over a decade but funding models have not changed in the Australian workforce. any significant way. State and Federal government funding has retracted both in real terms and as an overall proportion of the investment in the sector. We • International arts tourist numbers to Australia urge the Government to support initiatives that will realise the potential within grew by 47% between 2013 and 2017, a higher Western Australia’s creative sector. growth rate than for international tourist numbers overall (37%). Sports, arts and culture face the prospect of diminished program funding from Lotterywest. The policy framework that sees these sectors affected by • The numbers of Australians engaging with the arts the volatility of gambling revenue needs to be seriously considered into the while exploring their own country are growing. future. It constrains any consistent long-term strategy and most particularly Since 2014, there have been increases in the total affects investment in Western Australian content and future oriented initiatives. numbers of tourists engaging with arts activities on both daytrips (+14%) and overnight trips (+20%). Phil Thick Shelagh Magadza Chairman Executive Director FRINGE WORLD Festival. Photo by Jason Matz. Courtesy of FRINGE WORLD Festival. 2 3 Immediate and OTHER KEY ISSUES Ongoing Impact • The end of Federal packages in September 2020 will raise business continuity issues for some organisations. Arts and recreation services continue to appear in ABS statistics as one of the • Travel restrictions continue to impact venues and presenters unable sectors most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This will also be the area to access skills and touring events. of the economy slowest to recover with the sustainability of some areas now • Travel restrictions also impact many WA based artists and companies seriously challenged. for whom national and international touring represent a significant portion of their income. Key Statistics • The lack of access to markets and economic downturn will have major • ABS reported 30 March 2020 53% of arts and recreation businesses flow on effects within Indigenous communities. nationally reported they were not trading. • Regional artists and communities continue to be disadvantaged in their • ABS reported 23% job loss in Western Australian Arts and Recreation ability to participate by intrastate travel costs, Perth-centric funding services as at 30 May 2020. models, digital access and lack of access to cultural infrastructure. • Over 450 events cancelled in Western Australia affecting nearly 900,000 • Volunteer burnout and lack of self-care mechanisms for small attendances. community arts organisations will result in some closures and • Estimated financial impact within Western Australia of $48 million. reduction of community participation levels. • Screen production in the State has been deferred leaving contractors out of work indefinitely. • Potential collapse of businesses within the events industry will impact KEY CONCERN access to equipment and contractors. Ongoing funding for the Department of Culture and the Arts Programs • Interrelationship with the hospitality and tourism sector will also see diminished opportunities for events and performances. Funding for the Department’s programs comes from an annual dividend paid by Lotterywest. This supports the multi-year funding agreements and grant programs administered by • Audience surveys point to reduced audiences for performing arts of the Department. The last three years has seen volatility with this funding fluctuating from between 10% and 30%1. a low of $15 million in 2016/17 to $18 million in 18/19. The impact of this variance of up to 20% has been significant and hampered consistent policy and funding delivery by the • Independent and emerging artists are disproportionately affected by Department. It has seen the loss of funding to strategic initiatives, sector capacity building, lack of access to Jobkeeper, lack of ongoing project funding, fewer artist development and organisational innovation. contract roles and fewer personal resources. Not only has this increased the fragility of the existing ecosystem, it has also stymied • It is anticipated that there will be a reduction in income from business the development of emerging and diverse practitioners who would bring much needed partnerships and philanthropy over the next two years. innovative thinking into the sector. Should the next three years see another phase of reduced funding to the Department, it will be unable to be responsive to the prolonged effects of COVID-19 and provide the ongoing support that the recovery will need. We urge the Government to review this policy and provide stabilisation to the Department through consolidated revenue. 1. https://www.thepatternmakers.com.au/blog/2019/4/5/audience-outlook-monitor-wave1- keyfindings Perth Festival City of Lights at Perth Concert Hall. Photo by Tashi Hall. Courtesy of Perth Festival 4 5 COVID-19 Response Proposals The recommendations for a COVID-19 response are short-term and medium-term actions and WESTERN AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT PRIORITIES investments that support four key outcomes for the arts, culture and creative industries and align with the Government’s objectives for recovery: Vision 1. Jobs – Ensure job losses are minimised and create new job opportunities within the sector Western Australia gets back on the road to becoming a thriving and innovative community to live, work, visit and do business in. 2. Respond to Community Needs 3. Diversify the Western Australian Economy Goal 4. Future-proof the Western Australian Arts and Culture Sector Return Western Australia to a proper level of functioning following the COVID-19 pandemic, alongside opportunities for enhancement where they lead to increased resilience, efficiencies Strategic investment in the sector will help: and effectiveness. • Build a creative and diverse workforce equipped to solve 21st century problems and drive Objectives new industries, • Support an arts education system that seeks to encourage divergent thinking, promote Reboot our economy to get back on the pre-pandemic growth cultural tolerance and reflect the make-up of the Western Australia community, trajectory as quickly as possible • Celebrate our indigenous heritage and its unique place in our past and future, Regroup our community at a personal, family and social level so people feel healthy and have the confidence to lead active lives. • Develop a unique tourism offering for the state based on our distinctive cultures and experiences. Rethink our future to lead us to the next normal. • Drive cultural and diplomatic ties with Asia (and beyond) and export our outstanding art and culture, • Advance the development of the creative industries in Western Australia using cutting- edge technologies, thinking and innovations towards the development of Intellectual