The Greens are today launching a comprehensive and fully-costed arts policy, which will see Australian artists and creatives properly supported, funded and valued.
The plan will inject billions of dollars into the arts, and includes a capital works fund, an artists in residence program, and investment in telling Australian stories.
The announcement comes after a difficult few weeks for the arts industry as a result of the Creative Australia and Venice Biennale saga, years of underfunding and broken promises, and festival and event cancellations from the covid, climate and cost-of-living crises
Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young is spokesperson for the Arts:
"The Greens are the party of the arts and our plan will deliver the support our creative sector needs to thrive in 2025 and beyond.
"The creative sector is in turmoil right now with too many creatives struggling to make ends meet, venues facing closure and festivals cancelled. The ongoing scandal at Creative Australia is a reminder that freedom of artistic expression must be defended with vigilance.
"The Greens plan will ensure more artists are paid, more venues stay open and more audiences enjoy world class work. Artists need funding for their work, freedom of artistic expression and protection from political interference.
"Our plan for artists in residence in schools and libraries is an investment in unlocking the power of creativity and innovation for the next generation. Giving every child the opportunity to learn directly from artists and experience firsthand the value of artistic expression and creative thinking.
"The arts and creative industry is worth $112 billion a year, demonstrating the economic value as well as cultural value of any investment in Australian artists and creatives."
Key policy points:
Pay artists properly
- Pilot a Living Wage for Artists program for up to 10,000 artists
- Legislate a $250 minimum performance fees for musicians and live performers at publicly funded events
Value art in our society and protect artistic freedom
- Put an artist in residence in all of our public schools and public libraries
- Revitalise Creative Australia and bring in new leadership
- Strengthen Australian storytelling on screens by legislating local content quotas that require streaming services to invest 20% of their Australian subscriber revenue into locally made and owned content, and ensure they are regulated like Australian broadcasters.
Sustainably fund the arts for the future
- Invest $2 billion in the sustainability and future of the arts over a decade, including support for festivals, live performance, youth arts and arts administration
- Expand and revitalise arts infrastructure with a $300 million Arts Capital Works Fund
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Arts Capital Works Fund for live venues
Australia has lost more than 1,300 live music venues and stages since the pandemic, with the live performance sector calling for new investment.
The Arts Capital Works Fund will deliver:
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$300 million in an arts capital works fund to support the creation of performing arts venues and rebuild of the arts ecosystem around the country.
2. Pay artists properly for the work they do
Artists are often not paid for the work they do, with many having to pick up other work and having less time to create.
The Greens will pay artists properly by delivering:
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A Living Wage for Artists for up to 10,000 established or emerging artists with a living wage for a full calendar year, giving artists financial stability that will allow them to focus on producing their art and not worry about paying their bills.
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An Artist in Residence in every school and library to enable new and emerging artists in particular to engage their skills while helping to mentor young Australians and students.
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$250 Minimum performance fee for musicians & artists performing at publicly funded events.
Living Wage for Artists pilot program
To provide stability for artists, the Greens will invest in a pilot program called the Artists' Wage. This program would provide a living wage for up to 10,000 established or emerging artists for a full calendar year. This trial will give artists a secure income that allows them to focus on producing their art without the pressure of having to take on additional work or the stress of meeting their daily living costs.
Artist in Residence program
Putting an artist in residence at every school and library in the country will provide meaningful employment particularly for new and emerging artists, while allowing greater opportunity for young people and the community to engage with the arts.
Artists and authors would support schools or local councils to create community art projects in local areas, whether that is street art, theatre or music productions, local exhibitions and local stories.
This project is focused on job creation, community development and building an enhanced appreciation for creative industries.
Musicians minimum performance fee
To provide stability for musicians, the Greens will legislate a minimum performance fee of $250 for artists performing at publicly funded events.This fee reflects industry standards for payment as determined by industry bodies, and supports the call from key stakeholder, including Musicians Australia and the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance for the Government to uphold the same standards.
3. Protect artistic freedom
Freedom of artistic expression is not only a noble concept, but it's a legal obligation for Creative Australia. The sacking scandal and handling of Australia's Venice Biennale entrant has devastated Australia's arts community and brought the organisation into disrepute.
The Greens are calling for:
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The CEO of Creative Australia to be sacked
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The Board of Creative Australia to be spilled
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A comprehensive review of Creative Australia following the Venice Biennale sacking scandal and the subsequent threat to artistic freedom of expression
