Achievements
Supporting the arts means resilience. Robyn Archer
Distinctive and vivid performances
Since the Federal and State commitment to new funding arrangements in 2000, the AMPAG companies have produced a vibrant, innovative slate of productions, with the number of Australian works jumping 88% in 2001 alone and rising to 154 in 2007. Overall, the number of new works increased from 44 in 1999 to 63 in 2008 reflecting growing confidence in the companies’ ability to invest.
The number of people attending has continued to grow strongly (2.2 million tickets for main stage performances alone).
The 28 companies receive wide critical acclaim both nationally and internationally. They are well recognised in the arts industry as evidenced by the peer awards they receive each year such as Helpmann Awards, Green Room awards, Critics Circle and the Deadlys. For more information go to Award Winning Companies.
Major Employer, Economic driver
In the context of the current global recession it is important to acknowledge that the cultural industries are worth approximately $32 billion or 3.5% of Australia’s GDP – which is a handy chunk of change for something intrinsically good for you – and support around 474,000 jobs in 102,000 enterprises. The Hon Peter Garrett AM MP: “A Creative Australia: Why we must harness and embrace the arts” Brisbane, 10 June 2009
More than three million Australians experience the work of the MPA companies through mainstage performances, national and international touring and digital platforms.
The 28 companies provide sustainable employment every year for around 9000 artists (on-stage and backstage) and in the highly skilled management and support functions that make live performance exciting and compelling. In addition, there are many more technical, front of house and support crew employed directly by the venues at which the companies perform. Further, the work that the companies create and perform maintains many specialized crafts that do not have a big market and may otherwise disappear.
Around 5,500 volunteers are engaged with the companies on an annual basis because they believe in the power of creative work. The opportunities for volunteering not only benefits the companies but the individuals who obtain invaluable experience in the performing arts industry which can led to future employment in not only this industry but many others – thus extending creativity across the board.
Improving capacity: Stretching the government dollar
For the past nine years AMPAG, with some financial assistance from the Australia Council, has been conducting a sponsorship and philanthropy survey of the major performing arts companies to gauge how successful they have been in leveraging Government support. Overall for every $1 the Government provides the 28 companies they raise another $2 through box office, sponsorship and philanthropy. For some companies Government support represents around 10% of their overall turnover and for others, such as orchestras, it represents closer to 50%.
Report findings from the most recent 2009 study show that total sponsorship and philanthropic support over the nine year period has increased $18.4 million or 60.8 percent since 2001, when the Survey first commenced, with earnings continuing to track ahead of CPI levels. However companies did not remain completely unscathed from the global financial crisis with a slight decline of $0.1 million (0.3 per cent) in earnings on 2009 figures.
Enriching school curricula
Every one of the 28 companies in AMPAG sees young people as a vital audience for the present and the future. Being exposed to live music, drama, dance and opera is an essential way of experiencing Australian culture and stories, as well as providing the well-documented benefits of increased literacy, numeracy and creative thinking. The major performing arts companies staged a total of 4,383 educational performances to audiences of over 717,000 students in 2008, including many in regional and remote areas.
Musica Viva alone reaches almost 400,000 children every year with its touring ensemble and learning programs. AMPAG companies use philanthropy, grants and charges to finance education programs.
AMPAG was concerned that the arts would not be included in either the first or second phase of the development of a new national curriculum. We therefore lobbied in conjunction with other peak bodies to have this redressed and as a result we are thrilled about the inclusion of the arts in phase two of the implementation. This means that for the first time, nationally, the performing and visual arts will be part of a student’s core curriculum alongside English, maths, history, sciences, geography and languages.
As the Minister for the Arts, Peter Garrett, announced on 17 April 2009, “Creativity, interpretation, innovation and cultural understanding are all sought-after skills for new and emerging industries in the 21st century. Arts education provides students with the tools to develop these skills”.
AMPAG is delighted with the new commitment, and looks forward to creating and developing new partnerships with schools as Australia readies itself to develop the talent of its young people. For information on companies current education programs visit our 'Investing in Education' page.
Performing Arts Advocacy
In April 2008 a major advocacy campaign called We All Play a Part, highlighting the importance of a strong performing arts sector for Australia in the 21st Century, was launched by the Australian Major Performing Arts Group, in association with Live Performance Australia and the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance, and its campaign partners: Australian Performing Arts Centres Association (APACA), Australian Network for Arts and Technology (ANAT), and The Australian Children’s Music Foundation (ACMF).
Research shows that Australia’s performing arts industry generates significant benefits for all Australians. Some of these benefits include building stronger communities; developing world class performing arts talent; improving our kids’ education; boosting skills in the workforce and boosting our economy; giving millions of Australians the chance to participate in the performing arts every year and sending Australian performers around the globe.
In today’s global economy, Australia needs every competitive advantage it can get. A strong performing arts industry is a vital ingredient to a culturally and economically prosperous nation.
The contribution of performing arts to Australia’s economic and social well being of the country is broad and deep. Australians, with a broad range of skill sets, are involved either directly or indirectly by performing arts, including carpenters, electricians, audiovisual technicians, box office staff, creative directors, performers, managers and publicists. These Australians are likely to be critical, innovative thinkers who challenge conventional wisdom to solve problems and get things done. These are the skills that are needed by so many Australian companies and organisations today.
Each year, 15.9 million admissions are issued to popular concerts, theatre, opera, musicals or dance performances in this country, in venues as diverse as the Mount Isa Theatrical Society, Acer Arena, the Riverside Theatres in Parramatta and the La Trobe Performing Arts Centre. Those Australians who attend a performing arts event are helping talented young performers follow their dreams and share their talent.
Without a strong performing arts industry, Australia would be much worse off. Our best and brightest would go overseas and our children would never know the joy of seeing their favourite overseas band perform a blistering live set at an outdoor festival, nor we the thrill of seeing Australian performers stamp their mark on the latest Broadway hit. It is important for all supporters of live Australian performing arts to play their part and speak out about its importance.