ACT Government releases new arts policy and economic impact study

The ACT Government has released its new vision for the arts in Canberra aiming to create a diverse and dynamic arts ecology valued locally, nationally and globally.

Feedback from more than 300 organisations and individuals has helped shape the new policy, based on a review of the 2012 ACT Arts Policy Framework, which focuses on collaboration, innovation, diversity and inclusiveness.

The four principles underpinning the 2015 ACT Arts Policy are:

• Participation in and access to the arts
• Great art and great artists
• Vitality of the Canberra Region arts ecology
• Engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and cultures

Releasing the 2015 ACT Arts Policy, ACT Minister for the Arts Joy Burch (pictured below) wrote “the arts improve and strengthen communities, and a strong arts sector is essential to the cultural, social and economic fabric of a place.

“Around the world, art plays a key role in the creation of vibrant, culturally rich and diverse cities and in Canberra we are fortunate to have a thriving local arts scene, made up of artists, arts workers and arts organisations who use their ideas and creativity to add colour, life and movement to our city.

“In 2012 I released the ACT Arts Policy Framework which intended to set a vision for the arts sector in Canberra.

“The arts landscape has changed significantly since then, not only have we celebrated the centenary of our city and developed a city brand, but Canberra is increasingly being recognised as a creative and cultural hub.

“Canberra is also being seen as one of the world’s most liveable cities and this is thanks in large part to our city culture.

“The 2015 ACT Arts Policy sets a vision for the future and outlines how we will support our local artists, so that Canberra can continue to be known not only as the world’s most liveable city, but also as one of Australia’s most vibrant artistic centres.

“The new policy encourages collaboration and innovation, and respects the integrity of our local artists. If there is one constant in our arts sector, it’s that it is always changing. I look forward to continuing the conversation with artists, arts workers, arts organisations and audiences to ensure our arts policy remains relevant and engaged.”

The 2015 ACT Arts Policy outlines the vision, values and principles within which artsACT operates, as well as providing guidance for the work of the Cultural Facilities Corporation (CFC) and for other ACT Government agencies whose work impacts on or can be enhanced by the arts such as Visit Canberra, Innovation, Trade and Investment, Libraries, ACT Health, the Community Services Directorate and the Education and Training Directorate.

As the ACT Government’s arts agency, artsACT reports to the Minister while also providing policy and funding advice to Government; managing the ACT Arts Fund and a range of other arts development and funding initiatives; managing the ACT Government public art collection; overseeing the development and management of key ACT arts facilities; and maintaining links with other arts and cultural organisations including the Australia Council for the Arts and the Federal Ministry for the Arts.

artsACT does this to recognise the integral part the arts and culture play in our community and to encourage creativity, celebration, interpretation, artistic vibrancy and exchange of ideas. artsACT is genuine in our belief that Canberra is an influential part of the arts and cultural sector nationally and internationally and want to share that story.

Click here to download a PDF version of 2015 ACT Arts Policy.

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