Small to Medium Performing Arts Working Group
In August 2000, the Cultural Ministers Council affirmed the pivotal contribution of small-to-medium sized arts organisations to the cultural vitality and diversity of Australia.
The Cultural Ministers Council established the Small to Medium Performing Arts Working Group to identify and report on the factors influencing the artistic and financial position of small to medium sized performing arts organisations.
The working group consisted of representatives from the Australian Government, the Australia Council, and state and territory arts departments.
The Cultural Ministers Council agreed to allocate resources for consultation with the sector and to undertake research as required.
In May 2002, the Cultural Ministers Council considered the working group’s report on the examination of the small to medium performing arts and noted the following about the sector:
- The sector is characterised by great diversity, a focus on new creative endeavour, slim administrative structures, a large volunteer workforce and a commitment to artistic production
- The sector focuses on research and development
- The strong commitment to the sector's production and service organisations is underlined by the provision by governments of more than $30 million a year
- The sector makes a significant contribution to promoting Australia's international cultural profile
- The sector involves a large number of young people and communities across Australia
- While the sector as a whole is in surplus, its financial stability is finely balanced, with some areas under financial stress
- As organisations grow, their operations become more complex. Additional business skills are required to strengthen the sector's ability to operate with greater certainty in a challenging environment
The Cultural Ministers Council recognised that governments' expectations for the sector need to be made clearer to achieve a better understanding between the sector and funding agencies regarding creative risk taking and sustainability. The Cultural Ministers Council agreed on the elements of a strategy to enhance the overall sustainability of the small to medium performing arts sector in both creative and financial terms. All state and territory arts funding agencies and the Australia Council agreed to the strategy.
Key features of the strategy included:
- Improved coordination of state, territory and Australian Government funding arrangements for organisations in receipt of multi-year funding
- Better coordination and communication to support national and international funding
- The provision of targeted advice and expertise to address companies encountering financial stress and provision of strategic assistance for small to medium companies
- Delivery of national training development programs for medium companies
The report on the examination of the small to medium performing arts sector, Report to Ministers on the Examination of the Small to Medium Performing Arts Sector, is available in Word format or PDF format.