Supporting and promoting artists
Art makes life better. It brings us together, helps us process the tough times and celebrate the fun ones. Art is good for the soul.
Art is also good for the economy. The ACT has the largest proportion of creative workers in Australia. In 2021 there were over 25,000 jobs in our local creative sector.
But right now, art is underfunded and our creative economy is declining. Artists are struggling and the government is not doing enough to support them.
The ACT Greens are committed to supporting artists and the sector to ensure our creative industry remains a thriving and vibrant part of all our lives.
JUMP TO: Live Music | Art in the Heart of the Bush Capital
LIVE MUSIC
Canberra has a dynamic and diverse local music scene with lots of great artists, excellent venues and dedicated fans.
But the impacts of COVID on both artists and venues combined with the pitiful revenue they get through streaming services mean local musicians can’t even afford to live here, let alone play here.
Our venues are struggling too - it's hard to sell tickets and drinks, and many are struggling to pay rising insurance costs.
The ACT Greens have a plan to support the industry - big and small - to ensure that live music lives on in Canberra.
THE ACT GREENS WILL:
- Get the settings right for our Civic and Gungahlin entertainment precincts by working with the community and the sector
- Create dedicated entertainment precincts for Belconnen, Molonglo, Woden, Tuggeranong and EPIC to ensure artists and residents can live in harmony
- Fix public liability insurance so it works for the sector
- Create an Industry Development Officer to help artists professionalise
art at the heart of the capital
The Greens want Canberra to be a liveable city, enlivened by art, music and rich culture that everyone can access.
But we are hearing from our artists that in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis they’re struggling to make ends meet. Artists can’t even afford to live here, let alone practice here. We need to do better if we want art to thrive.
For too long, Labor has targeted arts investment at buildings, not people, undervaluing the contribution that art makes to the lives of individuals and our community as a whole.
THE ACT GREENS WILL:
- Fund art, not just the buildings art goes in, by doubling the arts budget
- Pay artists fairly with multi-year contracts and track the fair Remuneration Principles
- Support First Nations art
- Create new artistic opportunities with a commissioning officer
- Make art accessible for all