CREATIVE SOUTH AUSTRALIA: A VISION FOR THE ARTS Prepared by the Executive Summary 2 Contents Adelaide: A city of firsts in art and culture 6 South Australia’s unique advantage 7 Why culture and the arts? 8 Innovation is nurtured and celebrated 9 Creativity at the centre of our economy 10 Our artists play to the world 11 A home for artists and creative thinkers 12 Leaders in Arts and Education 13 A network of exceptional cultural spaces 14 Financial sustainability 15 Not the last word 16 Image credits and references 17 Executive Summary ABOUT ARTS 40 YEAR VISION INDIGENOUS ARTS WHO IS THE INDUSTRY COUNCIL CREATING AN ARTS INDUSTRY AND CULTURE VISION FOR? DRIVEN VISION FOR SOUTH OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA AUSTRALIA This Vision acknowledges that This Vision is for the arts sector and (AICSA) Indigenous arts practice and culture is attendees at the November 2014 forum In November 2014, AICSA invited South fundamental to the future for arts in to summarise and move forward the Arts Industry Council of South Australia Australia’s creative community to a South Australia. It is anticipated that many issues discussed and debated. (AICSA) is the state’s independent, public forum at Adelaide Town Hall to Creative South Australia: A Vision It is also for the Government of South sector wide representative arts develop a 40-Year Vision for the Arts. for the Arts will be augmented by Australia - to have insight into the body. AICSA was constituted as an This initiative was driven by the fact forthcoming consultation and policy over-arching views of the sector and incorporated association in 1991 and that South Australia’s vibrant arts scene on Indigenous arts and culture to be to contribute to cultural policy. It is for receives no operational funding from functions without an overarching arts or undertaken by Arts South Australia. investors, supporters and lovers of the the Government, and derives its support cultural policy. With the ‘Festival State’ Creative South Australia: A Vision for arts who wish to embrace the arts sector from the industry through member flourishing it is time to create a holistic the Arts recognises the importance for and be part of an exciting and dynamic subscriptions, fundraising, sponsorship arts charter across all creative practices. Indigenous artists to receive increased vision for the future. and donations. visibility and profile. Creative South Australia: A Vision AICSA is comprised of a voluntary for the Arts is the outcome of that committee of arts leaders from across public forum and encompasses the all sectors of the arts with a mission to discussions, debates and dreams of the advocate for a sustainable and vibrant 200 arts representatives who attended arts community in South Australia. the forum. The first stage has been the drafting of the document by AICSA with consultant Andrew Bleby. The document has undergone further drafts and discussion since that time with ongoing sector consultation ready for its final draft and release in 2017. 2 3 4 THE KEY MESSAGES South Australia’s arts sector is positive LEADERSHIP: RETAINING TALENT: about the future. Creative South Adelaide is a city of firsts and has led To continue to retain and attract artists Australia: A Vision for the Arts the nation in embracing arts and culture and other cultural workers - given its reflects a sense of optimism based on as a core to the city’s identity and small population compared to other South Australia’s history as a creative international profile. South Australia has artistic centres - South Australia must innovator and looks to a future that long been acknowledged as a leader in actively support and develop the best embraces the arts as both a force for the arts and cultural industries. makers and creative innovators. community good and an economic EDUCATION: driver. The city of Adelaide is on the OPPORTUNITIES: South Australia requires a long-term international radar with the Telegraph South Australia is uniquely positioned vision for the city and the state that UK comparing Adelaide to the dynamic to transform a creative breeding ground has, at its heart, a collaborative nexus US city Portland: into a place of sustainable arts and culture. between education and the arts. “Adelaide may be most known for its CULTURAL INFRASTRUCTURE: food and wine but culture runs a close INVESTMENT: Government and private investment into With first-rate cultural infrastructure the second. The city is going through a quality and output of artistic work created the cultural sector helps to create jobs dynamic, creative phase” and like will lift, audiences will grow, artists will and strengthens the economy. Cultural Portland, “Both cities boast a small move here, visitors will stay longer and activities and industries contribute to population, great coffee, a thriving indie professionals who drive the knowledge economic growth – through exports, music scene, craft beer, progressive economy will choose to live here. citizens, environmental innovation and tourism, the development of support a strong creative class who are drawn to industries and multiplier effects. FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY: ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS the area for its affordable rents.” 1 With a critical mass of cultural INNOVATION: activity embedded across the AICSA thanks the arts community of Creative South Australia: A Vision Artists are innovators, they test limits state, an integrated mix of income South Australia for making this vision for the Arts is structured in short and boundaries and engage with becomes possible, helping to achieve possible. The sector has given its frank chapters which outline the innovative emerging technologies to tell stories in sustainability and self-sufficiency for and honest feedback in a united voice to history of the arts in South Australia and new and exciting ways. artists and organisations. ensure the sustainability and prosperity step through the fundamental building of the arts in South Australia. blocks of a successful arts and creative GLOBAL: economy: South Australia can be a centre for We are delighted to present this vision as global exports of arts and culture. the first stage in an ongoing discussion Investing in creativity, attracting arts with stakeholders, government, private leaders and providing opportunities for investors, arts lovers and audiences. adventurous and innovative projects will We welcome feedback and comments pay global dividends. which can be sent to [email protected]. 5 Adelaide: A city of firsts in art and culture In Australia, we expect and anticipate that our Since the 1960s, South Australia has an continue to draw artists from across the extraordinary history of creativity and country and around the world and gain artists will exercise our freedom of expression and enterprise. We are proven innovators, international attention. creative leaders and visionaries. be fearless, take risks, and develop and present We have led the creation of arts and Since the establishment of the Adelaide theatre for generations of young inspiring work across national and international Festival in 1960, South Australia has long audiences, which have embedded arts borders. A culturally ambitious nation is confident been acknowledged as a leader in the and creativity into our psyche. arts and cultural industries. In particular, and constantly striving. SA has led the way in arts programs that A raft of key cultural organisations Australia Council Strategic Plan 2014-2019 have striven to create social change and created by State Government in the early progress, and to making art accessible 1970s have provided SA with unique arts to every person. infrastructure - State Theatre Company SA, the JamFactory, State Opera SA have We are a city of firsts. We were the all developed strong identities and lead cradle of the re-born national film in the development of their particular industry which has told stories that art forms. helped shape the nation. We are the epicentre of festival culture in Australia, boasting over a dozen festivals, which 6 Having a vibrant arts community is the reason South to come and live here. Australia’s 2055 Vision day, November 2014 South Australia is uniquely positioned readily formed and sustained, and unique to transform a creative breeding ground collaboration occurs naturally. into a city of sustainable arts and culture. As a state, we are well positioned to take Experienced and passionate leadership advantage of our size, unique history advantage in arts education, festivals, craft, and creative enterprise to continue to design, film, music, experimentation, build a future for ourselves and our Aboriginal heritage and audience children that can serve as an example engagement underpins our strong arts to the world – a future in which we are and cultural history. locally inspired, internationally admired and globally connected. South Australia is one of the best places in the world to live. A place where we As the nature of funding and subsidy value the enjoyment of life, time with continues to evolve and our audiences our friends and family, strengthened become increasingly sophisticated our by a unique sense of balance, fairness, creative industries will embrace this honesty and tolerance. It’s a place evolution. where intellectual capital has a special value and drives us to be vibrant and progressive. Now is the time for strong The demography and geography of and strategic support for our state and its capital city make for incredible connections. In bigger cities our creative and cultural the size of the population and the industries as a key spread of creative industries encourage component in the life of dispersal and separation. By contrast our state and in forging Adelaide’s creative communities know each other, our organisations work the new economy. together more easily, networks are 7 Why culture and The fruits of creativity are all around us. Cultural activities and industries The work of creative minds is evident, contribute to economic growth not just in theatres, galleries and concert – through exports, tourism, the the arts? halls, but in the music we hear, the development of support industries and clothes we wear, the mobile applications multiplier effects.