NSW Government announces Arts Budget

The reputation of NSW as Australia’s creative capital has been further bolstered by the Keneally Government with an investment of $295.7 million into the arts.

Minister for the Arts Virginia Judge said the 2010-11 Budget firmly backed NSW as the place to produce, promote and present first-class works and events.

“This is a Budget which builds for the future, develops home-grown content and puts NSW in the box seat to shape the creative economy,” Ms Judge said.

The Keneally Government is investing $56.6 million in the 2011 Arts Funding Program, which supports artists, arts organisations and community events across NSW.

“An extra $3.5 million will support additional performing arts tours, new works and foster further development in the small-to-medium arts sector,” Ms Judge said.

“It also includes $4.5 million over four years towards the acquisition of Pier 2/3 – the last undeveloped wharf in the performing arts precinct of Walsh Bay – with a $1 million investment in the NSW Budget.

“This exciting project will create a dynamic new venue for cultural purposes in an area that is already home to leading arts organisations such as the Sydney Theatre Company and Sydney Dance Company.”

The Keneally Government is investing $1.5 million in recurrent funding for CarriageWorks at Eveleigh, cementing its place as the hub of the State’s small-to-medium contemporary creative sector.

The $239.1 million Keneally Government investment in the State’s six cultural institutions includes:

• $30.7 million for the Art Gallery of NSW, including a $3 million boost in recurrent funding to $24.8 million;

• $76.4 million for the State Library of NSW, including $3.7 million for a major refurbishment of the State Library Reference Library reading rooms;

• $28.4 million for the Australian Museum, including $5.2 million for several capital upgrades, scientific equipment and temporary exhibition space;

• $21.5 million for the Historic Houses Trust, with a $3.5 million investment in property maintenance including $500,000 to conserve the Hyde Park Barracks Gatehouse; and

• $35.4 million for the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (the Powerhouse Museum, the Powerhouse Discovery Centre at Castle Hill, the Sydney Observatory and the NSW Migration Heritage Centre), including $3.045 million to expand and improve gallery spaces and other infrastructure.

Ms Judge said the Keneally Government’s investment recognised the significant economic benefits that flow from a vibrant creative sector.

“The NSW Budget continues a great year for the creative industries in NSW, coming on top of recent announcements including a total investment of $13 million in the $53 million redevelopment of the Museum of Contemporary Art, $2.91 million over three years for the Sydney Film Festival, a total investment of $2 million through to 2014 for the Sydney Writers’ Festival and $1.75 million a year through to 2014 for Sydney Festival First Night,” Ms Judge said.