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.
Positive Signs for Performing Arts
Box office incomes continue to rise, new productions increased significantly and the number of Australian works has hit an all-time high – this is the positive outlook of Australia’s major performing arts sector.
The Minister for the Arts and Sport Senator Rod Kemp today released the 2004 Securing the Future:an Assessment of Progress 1999–2004 report, highlighting the achievements of Australia’s major performing arts companies over the past five years.
“The good news for the industry and for Australian audiences is that artistic vibrancy is alive and well,” Senator Kemp said.
“The review found that Coalition Government funding models have helped deliver a strong financial base for the major performing arts sector.
“One of the most pleasing results of the Securing the Future report shows the number of new and Australian productions being performed by our major performing arts companies has continued to grow.
“The financial viability of our major performing arts companies has also improved, with combined box office and private sector income to these companies rising solidly since 1999.” Senator Kemp said.
The Australia Council’s Major Performing Arts Board has compiled this report annually since 1999, as part of the Australian Government’s commitment to making its support for the performing arts transparent and accountable.
Senator Kemp said the Securing the Future report provides a detailed analysis of artistic, audience reach and financial viability performance indicators for Australia’s 29 major performing arts companies.
The report’s analysis shows that the production of new and Australian works rose from 44 in 1999 to more than 68 in 2004.
Touring seasons increased by over 30 per cent, creating opportunities for wider audiences to enjoy productions by the major performing arts companies. Importantly, the number of regional centres in which the companies performed increased considerably with 190 being visited in 2004 compared to 122 in 1999.
There have also been improvements in the financial and net surplus results of the major performing arts companies with their overall box office/fee income growing strongly from $102.9 million in 1999 to $133.7 million in 2004.
“I am delighted that private sector income is also showing strong growth from 1999 to 2004 with an average annual increase of 5.7 per cent,” Senator Kemp said.
“Overall, there has been a considerable increase in consolidated net assets for the sector from $17.1 million in 1999 to $42.7 million in 2004 - this is a very pleasing result.”
The Australia Council’s Major Performing Arts Board aims to ensure that Australia has an artistically vibrant, financially viable and broadly accessible major performing arts sector.
Visit www.ozco.gov.au/securing2004 to view the full Securing the Future: an Assessment of Progress 1999–2004 report online.
CANBERRA
13 October 2005
Media contact: Michael Christo, 03 9650 7274 or 0409 040 276