Inquiry into the cultural and creative industries in Victoria
In our submission, ANA shares information relevant to three terms of reference:
1) the economic and social impact of Revive on Victoria’s arts and cultural industries including, in particular, Victoria’s share of national arts and cultural spending
4) the ongoing financial sustainability of the seven national performing arts training organisations including whether Victoria’s share of this funding is adequate; and
5) whether the Revive policy and relevant state government policies and spending provide sufficient support and impetus to rebuild and sustain Victoria’s cultural and creative industries following the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the sector.
After making a submission in December 2024, ANA was invited to appear at the public hearing for this Inquiry on 13 March 2025.
At the hearing, CEO Kate Fielding shared ANA research showing everyday Australians believe arts and culture enriches their lives, helps them connect with their families and communities, and allows them to understand each other better, even when they don’t agree.
“These beliefs are backed up by international and Australian evidence on the transformative impact of arts and culture on prosperity, cohesion, security, health and sustainability. There are serious, measurable, positive impacts of cultural and creative engagement on people, communities, societies and economies,” Kate said.
She drew on ANA analysis of trends in government investment into arts, culture and creativity, noting that state and federal spending is now neck and neck, and recognising the important contribution of local government. She also acknowledged the lack of data on how total federal government cultural funding is distributed across states and territories, and what proportion reaches rural and remote areas.
Kate highlighted that while government investment plays an important role in ensuring access to cultural and creative engagement, in ‘normal’ pre-COVID times the biggest proportion of revenue into the broad cultural and creative industries came from earned income (at 87%) – even in not-for-profits with a culture subtype (at 47%). COVID-19 significantly disrupted this revenue mix, however.
People in all parts of Australia want and expect governments to help make arts and cultural experiences possible in their local communities.
But to make this possible right across the country, governments need to work better together.
Kate urged the Committee to work with other jurisdictions to help create an arts and culture system that delivers benefits for all people and communities across the country. A Ministerial Council focused on cultural access and the creative industries would be a step towards achieving this. It would allow jurisdictions to learn from each other in their shared purpose of making cultural and creative engagement possible.