Live Performance Australia speaks out on arts funding

Live Performance Australia (LPA) has spoken out on the value of the arts and made representations on future funding for Australia's live entertainment sector.

Speaking at the recent 2015 Helpmann Awards LPA President, Andrew Kay delivered a passionate speech defending the live performance industry, in particular the small-to-medium arts organisations that are currently under threat by changes in Federal Government arts funding.

Broadcast live on Foxtel Arts, Kay's speech was met with loud applause from the 2,000 industry professionals and fans attending the Awards at Sydney's Capitol Theatre.

Speaking to the Senate inquiry into Federal Arts Minister George Brandis’ controversial National Program for the Arts (NPEA), LPA Chief Executive Evelyn Richardson (pictured) called for clarity on how the Australia Council and the NPEA will work together.

At the Senate inquiry's first public hearing in Melbourne, Richardson stated “if (the Government) is going to undertake a reform agenda, the strategic objectives (need to be) clear from the outset."

Evidence was also heard from artists and administrators in the regional arts sector, independent theatre, dance, literature, community development and disability arts.

The LPA, which represents 400 members from small not-for-profits to large commercial organisations, has made 12 recommendations to the draft NPEA guidelines, calling for greater rigour, clarity and transparency. Richardson says the funding changes have destabilised a sector that plans 18 to 36 months in advance and relies on a degree of business certainty.

She went on to state "this is an industry that rises and falls on its ability to collaborate,” adding that companies across the country are discussing how they can work together in the new environment.

LPA has also recently released its submission to the Senate Inquiry on the Impact of the 2014 and 2015 Commonwealth Budget Decisions on the Arts and on the Draft Guidelines for the National Program for Excellence in the Arts which can be viewed in full on the LPA website.

LPA's most recent ticketing attendance and revenue survey, for 2013, showed an industry posting $1.5 billion dollars revenue, and selling 18 million tickets.

Click here to watch a YouTube video Andrew Kay's full Helpmann Awards speech.

Click here to read the LPA submission on Draft Guidelines for the National Program for Excellence in the Arts

28th July 2015 - AND THE 2015 HELPMANN AWARD GOES TO …

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