Arts, culture and entertainment on the Central Coast are set to benefit from the Federal Government’s new National Cultural Policy, Revive, says Member for Robertson Gordon Reid.
“Revive will empower our talented artists and arts organisations to thrive and grow – unlocking new opportunities, reaching new audiences and telling stories in compelling new ways,” Reid said.
“It will bring drive, direction and vision back to the $17B industry – which employs an estimated 400,000 Australians – after a lost decade of federal policy drift and funding neglect.”
Backed by $286M in dedicated funding over four years, Revive’s centrepiece is the establishment of Creative Australia.
This will be the Government’s new principal arts investment and advisory body.
The governing body of Creative Australia will continue to be known as the Australia Council.
Creative Australia will expand on and modernise the Australia Council’s work with funding decisions made on the basis of artistic merit and at arm’s length from the Government.
Within Creative Australia four new bodies will be established: a new First Nations-led body which will give First Nations people autonomy over decisions and investments; Music Australia, a dedicated new body to support and invest in the Australian contemporary music industry; Writers Australia, to support writers and illustrators to create new works; and new Centre for Arts and Entertainment Workplaces to ensure creative workers are paid fairly and have safe workplaces free from harassment and discrimination.
Revive is built on five pillars but puts First Nations first – recognising and respecting the crucial place of these stories at the heart of our arts and culture.
Revive also commits the Government to: introduce legislation to protect First Nations knowledge and cultural expressions, including the harm caused by fake art; develop a First Nations creative workforce strategy; fund the establishment of a National Aboriginal Art Gallery in Alice Springs and an Aboriginal Cultural Centre in Perth; and provide $11M to establish a First Nations Languages Policy Partnership between First Nations representatives and Australian governments.
Revive also commits the Government to regulating Australian content on streaming platforms; improving lending rights and incomes for Australian writers; increased funding for regional art; and dozens of other measures.
“Introducing safe and inclusive workplaces, fair remuneration, and meaningful training and development will enable creative workers in Robertson to realise long-term and sustainable careers in the creative sector,” Reid said.
“Revive will ensure Australians can access and participate in homegrown arts and culture across all platforms, showcasing diverse Australian stories including those from Robertson.
“Revive will have immediate and long-term benefits for creative workers and audiences in Robertson, and I look forward to supporting its implementation.”
Minister for the Arts Tony Burke said Revive is a comprehensive roadmap for Australia’s arts and culture that touches all areas of government, from cultural diplomacy in foreign affairs to health and education.
“Our artists are creators and workers,” he said.
“This sector is essential for our culture and for our economy.
“As the sector recovers from years of neglect followed by the tough pandemic period, Revive will set the arts sector on a new trajectory with fresh momentum.”
To read the National Cultural Policy in full visit: www.arts.gov.au/culturalpolicy
Verified source: Media release, Feb 9, 2023, Member for Robertson Gordon Reid