LPA: 'Live Entertainment and Performing Arts Contributes $1.1 billion to the Australian Economy'

Live Performance Australia (LPA), the peak body for Australia’s live entertainment and performing arts industry, has today launched its first benchmarking study - the Size & Scope of the Live Entertainment Industry 2010.

The Study, conducted by consultants Ernst & Young, finds that the industry generated revenues of $1.88 billion in 2008 and contributed $1.1 billion to the Australian economy making it larger than film and video production, sport and recreation, book publishing and horse and dog racing.

The industry, which employs 13,800 full time equivalent positions, is made up of many diverse sectors ranging from ballet and dance to classical music, theatre and to rock festivals.

Non-classical (contemporary) music is the most significant contributor by event category, comprising 40% of the industry’s total value-add.

Chief Executive of Live Performance Australia (LPA), Evelyn Richardson said the Study is broader in scope than those previously undertaken by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), and demonstrates the significant economic contribution of the industry, despite limited government investment in certain event categories.

Richardson explains that “this study provides a snapshot of the live entertainment industry’s economic contribution in terms of gross output, value-add and employment during 2008.

“The live entertainment industry also generates a number of intangible benefits that are not reflected in economic metrics like this benchmark study. These include improved social cohesion, lifestyle improvement, diversity and increased creativity.

“This industry is a sophisticated contributor in terms of financial, employment, and quality of life metrics to the Australian economy. Regular benchmarking enables the industry and importantly its private and Government stakeholders to see its real and tangible value.”

Established in 1917 and registered as an employers’ organisation under the Workplace Relations Act 1996, LPA’s activities centre around three core areas: workplace relations; policy and strategy; and membership services and events.

LPA is also the presenter/producer of the Helpmann Awards®.

LPA is the trading name of the Australian Entertainment Industry Association (AEIA). Its members work in the live performance sector across all artistic genres, including contemporary and classical music, musicals, theatre, comedy, dance, opera, circus and physical theatre. We represent producers, venues, promoters, performing arts companies, festivals and industry suppliers such as ticketing companies and technical specialists.

LPA also services the cinema and exhibition industries.

Click here to view the full study.

17th February 2009 - LIVE PERFORMANCE WORTH $1.2 BILLION