- Cook Government releases 10-year vision for WA culture,
arts and creative industries
- More than $54 million in State Government
funding committed for key priorities over next three years
- Includes opportunities for organisations to
apply for funding for community cultural facilities, equipment and technology
- New fellowships and internships announced
The Cook Government today
announced a $54 million funding package as part of its ambitious 10-year vision
for culture, arts and creative industries in Western Australia.
Creative WA outlines the Cook Government's plan to strengthen the
sector, share stories and celebrate place, and ensure more Western Australians
can access and participate in culture, arts and creativity.
The plan brings together initiatives across government and explores
key partnerships to ensure the creative, cultural and arts sector can deliver,
and benefit from, improved social, cultural and economic outcomes for WA.
More than $54 million in new State Government funding has been committed
for key priorities over the next three years. This includes $45 million funded
through Lotterywest, with $30 million allocated to arts and culture
infrastructure upgrades across WA, and $15 million in targeted support to be
provided for Aboriginal Art Centre infrastructure.
The Creative WA vision is based on
extensive industry consultation and aims to achieve:
- social impact through community connection, improved wellbeing and
mental health;
- cultural impact through strengthened cultures and enhanced
liveability;
- sector development through increased cultural vibrancy and
participation in creative, cultural and arts activities;
- economic growth through increasing productivity, creative
industries exports and cultural tourism income; and
- job growth through boosting employment and skills in the creative,
cultural and arts sector.
Industry consultation
undertaken across the State to inform development of the vision included
in-person and online workshops attended by 271 people, including a range of
focus groups with senior Aboriginal Elders and cultural leaders, young people,
regional Western Australians and people from specific workforces. An online
survey was also conducted, with 1,069 responses received.
The consultation
process was guided by an Arts Leadership Group of industry peers and an
extensive literature review overseen by a cross-government working group.
Initiatives for the first three years include new Creative WA
Fellowships and Internships that prioritise young people, First Nations people and
those living in regional and outer metropolitan locations to help them become
sector leaders and grow the State's creative economy. Funding of $640,000 has
been allocated to this initiative per year.
The successful Creative Learning program, which includes the
Creativity for Schools program and Creative Learning Partnerships Program, will
receive a three-year extension with $1,763,000 allocated per year.
The Creativity and Wellbeing for Young People program will also
continue with $1.5 million in joint funding allocated over two years from the
WA Government ($1 million) and Healthway ($500,000).
Funding of $350,000 over two years will
go to the Technical Services Industry and Workforce Development initiative led
by CircuitWest.
For more information about Creative WA,
visit: https://www.dlgsc.wa.gov.au/creative-wa
Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook:
"It's an exciting time for WA's
creative, cultural and arts sector, with remarkable talent set to pass through
the doors of ECU City WAAPA in 2026, as our new $233 million Perth Film Studios
welcomes its first productions and the revitalised Perth Cultural Centre opens
to the public.
"Our arts and culture sector has
always punched above its weight, producing some of the finest works and
exporting more trained, creative talent than it attracts - so we are pleased to
be able to provide support enabling local creatives to stay in WA.
"WA's creative industries already
contribute $3.3 billion annually to our economy and employ more than 51,000
people, and by strengthening pathways into creative careers and supporting
education we aim to further grow our dynamic, resilient workforce.
"We've already allocated more than
$54 million towards this 10-year Creative WA vision that looks towards a future
where our State becomes a creative haven, by providing more support for the
workforce who are at the core of it all, and growing understanding and
appreciation of the role culture, art and creativity play in our everyday
lives."
Comments attributed to Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman:
"Our Government's support for Creative
WA is about setting WA up for success. Our cities and regions are the best
place to live, work and learn when everyone can participate and benefit from culture,
art and creativity.
"A key focus of the vision is
people - the driver of creativity - and it supports artists, cultural workers
and creative practitioners to do what they do best.
"This is an exciting time for WA,
and we look forward to the transformation this vision will bring to our State."
