New research released today by national arts and culture think tank A New Approach (ANA) showcases actions governments can take, beyond direct cultural funding, to support cultural access and strengthen creative industries.

Kate Fielding, CEO of ANA, said “In our challenging economic environment, we all still want to attend festivals, visit libraries and see Australian stories on screens, and we hope and expect governments to help make this possible.

“Everyone knows that there isn’t a deep enough well of government funding to achieve everything we want. But when it comes to governments, culture and creativity, it’s about more than just direct cultural funding.

“While direct funding invests in Australian creativity and helps ensure more equitable access, Australia, like other nations worldwide, can also benefit from enabling actions that support and promote Australian cultural and creative expression.

“From pre-approved event plans and ‘one-stop shops’ that reduce red-tape delays, through to delivering export strategies, tax concessions and tax offsets, these enablers make it easier for creators to work, creative businesses to operate, and all Australians to access great experiences and products.

“These enablers are uniquely available to governments, and in some cases they may prove themselves to be cheaper, easier and more effective than direct funding. Enablers complement and enhance direct funding – they don’t replace it – and we know they work as we have seen their success in other OECD nations.

“While some Australian governments have already adopted some enablers, there are many that aren’t using all the enablers at their disposal to facilitate financial inflows, improve operations and increase engagement across our cultural and creative industries. There is more we can do to create a cultural and creative system that delivers for Australians.”

Beyond learning from existing international and Australian examples, Ms Fielding stated that ANA’s research suggests a coordinated approach between all levels of government in Australia is required to make the most of enablers across the areas of access, infrastructure, innovation, production and protection.

“Australians deserve to access cultural and creative experiences in their cities, suburbs and towns. To help us get the best results for all people and communities, we need a Ministerial Council reporting to National Cabinet to help governments and portfolios work better together.”

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