The Hon Rod Kemp was Minister for the Arts and Sport from Friday 23 November 2001 to Tuesday 30 January 2007. This site is available for archival purposes only.

 

REVIEW OF ORCHESTRAS

The Australian Government today announced that it will commission a Review of Australia's Symphony and Pit Orchestras to consider the effective and efficient delivery of high quality orchestral services in Australia.

'This Review is an opportunity for orchestras and governments to work to improve the long-term sustainability of the sector,' said the Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator Rod Kemp.

The Review follows a recommendation of the 1999 Major Performing Arts Inquiry, and is to be conducted within the framework of the Inquiry's principles and government-agreed recommendations.

Australia boasts six state symphony orchestras and two opera and ballet orchestras. Each contributes to Australia's distinctive cultural life and is enjoyed by both local audiences and tourists. The following orchestras fall within the scope of the Review: Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, The Queensland Orchestra, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, West Australian Symphony Orchestra, the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra, and Orchestra Victoria. The Review will also consider the role of Darwin Symphony Orchestra and Canberra Symphony Orchestra in the context of the broader orchestral sector in Australia.

Originally part of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, the State symphony orchestras now operate as independent subsidiary companies supported by the Australian and State Governments. The Review will address a number of operational, marketplace and governance issues which have arisen since the orchestras' corporatisation as independent companies.

Mr James Strong has been appointed to chair the Review. He is Chairman of Insurance Australia Group Limited, Woolworths and Rip Curl. Mr Strong's arts interests include Chairman of the Australia Business Arts Foundation and the Sydney Theatre Company. He will be assisted by Professor Malcolm Gillies, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the Australian National University and distinguished music historian and academic, and Mr Peter Grant, former Deputy Secretary at the Department of Education, Science and Training who has over 30 years experience in the public sector.

'The panel has been selected to provide a broad range of relevant experience and knowledge of the sector. I am delighted that Mr Strong has agreed to chair this important Review. He brings significant business and financial experience, as well as a long-standing interest in orchestral music and the arts more generally,' Senator Kemp said.

The Review will involve broad consultation with relevant stakeholders and will report by the end of the year.

28 May 2004

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Media contact: Richard Wise, 02 6277 7350 or 0438 204 554

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Review of Australia's Symphony and Pit Orchestras

Objectives

The Review's principal objective is to consider the effective and efficient delivery of high quality orchestral services in Australia.

The Review will make recommendations on ways in which the orchestras and governments can work together to ensure the long term vibrancy and sustainability of Australia's orchestra sector.

The Review will involve broad consultation with relevant stakeholders.

The Review will assume the continuation of ongoing government funding support for the orchestras at existing levels and in similar proportions from the Australian and State Governments.

The Review is an outcome of the 1999 Major Performing Arts Inquiry, and is to be conducted within the framework of the Inquiry's principles and government-agreed recommendations.

The Review will report to the Minister for the Arts and Sport. State and Territory Governments will be consulted on the progress of the review and its outcomes through the Cultural Ministers Council.

Scope

The following orchestras fall within the scope of the Review: the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the Queensland Orchestra, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra, and Orchestra Victoria.

The Review will also consider the role of the Darwin Symphony Orchestra and the Canberra Symphony Orchestra in the context of the broader orchestral sector in Australia.

The Review will assess the efficacy of the formal and informal orchestra network arrangements, including Symphony Australia, taking into account the findings of the review of service delivery models commissioned by the Chairs of the symphony orchestra boards.

Issues

The Review will encompass the following issues for the sector:

Operational Issues

The Review will examine those factors which have an impact on the orchestras' capacity to contain costs, including the role of the formal and informal network arrangements between the symphony orchestras in relation to cost control. In doing so the Review will assess the financial position of each of the orchestras, including structural and employment issues which impact on cost-revenue dynamics.

Marketplace Issues

The Review will examine factors which have an impact on the orchestras' capacity to expand audiences and increase revenue. It will look at audience demand, community interest and access, the role of each orchestra in servicing local and national needs and the potential to maximise earned income through box office, commercial fees and private sector support.

The Review will also look at issues relating specifically to the provision of pit services.

Governance Issues¹

The Review will look at matters pertinent to the good governance of the orchestras, including the appropriateness of the current structure and composition of orchestra boards, the relationship of the State symphony orchestras with the ABC, and how to ensure better practice standards of governance.

The Review will take account of:

• the recommendations of the report of the Orchestral Taskforce;

• the findings of the Review of the Funding Model; and

• the review of service delivery models, including Symphony Australia, commissioned by orchestra board chairs.

Reporting Date

The review will report by 31 December 2004.

¹ The Australian National Audit Office's Public Sector Governance - Better Practice Guide will be used to ensure that appropriate standards are applied.