2024-12-05
Today the ACT Greens have called on the Labor Government to urgently double arts funding amid news that Canberra Youth Theatre can no longer afford to stage productions, and are cutting programs, due to a systemic lack of funding.
“Right now, organisations like Canberra Youth Theatre are struggling to survive, and all it would take from this Labor Government to adequately support them is less than they spend on handouts to horse racing,” said ACT Greens Member for Ginninderra, Jo Clay.
“Let me be clear, this is not a one off incident. If this government does not inject more money into the arts sector urgently, we will continue to see community based arts organisations drop off the radar as they go insolvent.
“In 2021, the previous Labor Minister for Arts released a ‘Statement of Ambition’ which set the aspiration for Canberra to become the arts capital of Australia. Now’s the chance for the new minister to walk the talk and actually make this a reality.
“During the 2024 ACT Election, the Greens made a commitment to properly support our arts sector by doubling their funding — because we recognised that our community needs more than just lip service, they need action.
“This would mean going from an already very small $9 million a year to the arts sector, to a reasonable $18 million so the sector can get a well deserved reprieve and continue to deliver entertainment for thousands of Canberrans.
“The question we have to ask ourselves is — do we want an arts sector here in Canberra or are we happy for Labor to let it fail?