REVIEW OF THE AUSTRALIA COUNCIL MAY 2012 - Creative ...

of our economy that are open to shifts in support from the private sector and government – such as the artssector.We are increasingly aware of the need to stimulate areas of long-term advantage in our economy, to buildour economic resilience so that we are able not just to survive but to take advantage of change andinstability. This will require creativity and innovation across many areas that do not traditionallydemonstrate these characteristics. The Review believes the arts sector has a great opportunity to be aleader in this endeavour – to stimulate ideas and invention. It must be properly funded to undertake thisrole.Coupled with this is the need to make the most of the opportunities afforded by the monumental impact oftechnological change on every aspect of our lives. For the arts sector, the growth of high speed broadband inparticular has the potential to revolutionise the way in which artistic work is both created and experienced.Supported by major investment in better built infrastructure, like ubiquitous fast broadband connections, weare operating in a global system linked in to the rest of world. It is the content in the pipes – and how wecreate, present, learn from and use that content – that will keep us in the game and shore up our futureprosperity.The role of government in this time of transition is to enable and encourage growth and innovation.Australia has a growing reputation for being ambitious, competitive and forward thinking – these arequalities which must also be evidenced in our arts sector, particularly at the elite end of the spectrum. It isrealistic to assume that government will always be a major source of financial support for the arts, butincreasing the sector’s capacity to innovate and grow will assist it to build its earned revenue and supportfrom the private sector – including sponsorship and philanthropy.Successive governments have invested in the arts ‘for art’s sake’, but also because of the economic and socialdividend it provides in areas across our economy. The arts sector contributes to Australia’s productivitythrough direct contribution to outputs, employment and growth. These are the benefits that are relativelyeasily identified and measured – such as through sales of tickets and artworks, creation of new jobs andearned income of arts organisations. Indeed, the cultural sector has become a true economic force,contributing over $30 billion towards GDP per annum, exceeding the contribution of the agriculture, forestry& fishing industries. 6 However, there are wider benefits that are not as easily quantified oridentified. These benefits are seen in non-arts areas of our economy such as education, social cohesion,national imagination and health.A growing body of evidence supports the premise that communities with a strong arts focus are morevibrant, cohesive, healthy and innovative. Together, these characteristics contribute towards our capacity tobe productive and to grow as a nation. As the National Cultural Policy Discussion Paper, launched by theMinister for the Arts, the Hon Simon Crean MP, in August 2011, notes: “a creative nation is a moreproductive nation”. 7In this context, the Australia Council plays a pivotal role. The Council operates as the AustralianGovernment’s primary funding body for the arts, focusing on the highest levels of artistic endeavour. Its role6 http://www.cci.edu.au/sites/default/files/dbogg/Creative%20Economy%20report%20card%20March%202011.pdf.7 http://culture.arts.gov.au/discussion-paper/introduction.8