The Federal Budget provides a welcome and much-needed funding boost for our creative and cultural training institutions.
‘Our training institutions, known as the ‘Arts 8’ play a vital role in developing the potential of our next generation of performers, creators, production and technical workers,’ said Evelyn Richardson, Chief Executive of Live Performance Australia.
‘A vibrant, diverse and successful Australian creative and cultural industry requires a workforce with the skills to take up current and emerging opportunities to create, produce and present work that engages and entertains audiences at home and globally.
‘LPA has consistently advocated for more investment in skills and training for our live arts and entertainment industry.
‘We warmly welcome the Albanese Government’s strong budget commitment to our national training bodies,’ Ms Richardson said.
LPA also welcomes the $8.6 million to support the Australian live music industry as it continues to navigate a challenging operating environment for artists, promoters and venues.
Increased funding for the Canberra Symphony Orchestra and the Darwin Symphony Orchestra will help to broaden their impact and engagement with audiences as well as provide more opportunity for musicians to build their careers.
‘Public investment in the performing arts delivers overwhelming social, economic and cultural benefits for all Australians.
‘As the Albanese Government looks to attract more business investment to Australia in key industries through its ‘Future Made in Australia’ initiative, we urge it to consider the opportunity to boost investment in our live theatre sector through a scheme of tax incentives to offset production costs.
‘Australia’s live theatre makers and producers are competing with the US and UK for investment capital.
‘A Live Theatre Tax Offset could support more Australian made theatre, including original works by Australian creators telling our stories, creating more jobs and export opportunities for hundreds of companies across Australia. Incentives for our screen and digital games industries have delivered significant benefits.
‘These incentives would be a real game changer, driving new investment in the creativity and capability of our live theatre sector on and off our stages and bringing more new works and Australian stories to audiences in theatres around the country,’ Ms Richardson said.
