Resources
Arts Facts
Investment in the arts works. Australia has an arts and related industries with an $8 billion contribution to the economy, a growing reputation as an innovative and creative nation. Australians enjoy and participate in the arts with 15.9 million attendances at performances a year, and over 2.3 million of these are at an AMPAG company show.
For more Arts Facts download AMPAG's Key Messages documents:
Key Messages - The Arts: The Big Picture (PDF)Key Messages - The Major Performing Arts Companies (PDF)
AMPAG studies on major theatre companies
At the
end of both 2005 and 2008 AMPAG, in conjunction with the major theatre
companies around the country, commissioned studies on the viability of
these companies under their funding arrangements. The first study
found that eight major Australian theatre and circus companies were
facing a major cost squeeze leading them to all cut costs in artistic
and production areas, thereby reducing artistic vibrancy and
opportunities. At the time of the survey, five were forecasting a
cumulative deficit of $1.5 million. Partly as a result of both this
study and the Australia Council’s second Funding Model Review of the
major performing arts companies, an additional $9.2M in funding over a
three year period 2008 – 10 was provided to these companies.
The second study
assessed the effect of these additional funds. It found that there was
a significant impact in artistic vibrancy, marginally increased
salaries and improved and extended education programs. However despite
funding increases companies are continuing to present smaller
productions and there has been an upward trend in co-productions and
buy-ins. This is done in order to control costs which continue to rise
at a much faster rate than the levels of earned income or subsidy.
AMPAG is now doing quarterly income and cost surveys of all member
companies to assess the impact of the recent recession.
Arts Philanthropy and Corporate Sponsorship
Tracking Changes in Corporate Sponsorship and Private Donations 2009 (360 KB)
For the most recent ABAF figures link to their website.
Children, Arts and Education
AMPAG companies have a wide variety of innovative education programs at all levels of education. These include introducing children to performance, young artist development programs for those developing professional careers, and mentoring programs for those training across the art forms. Visit company websites to explore the range of available arts experiences. Some other useful documents are:
- AMPAG Education Examples 2010 (PDF)
Examples of AMPAG companies education programs. - 2010 MPA Submission to ACARA National Curriculum (PDF)
The MPA Submission to ACARA regarding the inclusion of the performing arts in the National Curriculum. - What the Government can do to nurture talent (PDF)
Suggests ideas that you can promote to Government to support arts training in schools - Statistics about children’s participation in cultural activities
Australian Bureau of Statistics - What the arts change about the learning experience.
A new groundbreaking study from the US which has changed attitudes to the arts all around the world. - National Review of School Music Education
Department of Education, Employment & Workplace Relations
More Literature Downloads and Links
AMPAG Submission to the National Cultural Policy
AMPAG submission National Cultural Policy Jan 2010
Artists Say
Read “Why Australia needs Ratbag Artists”, a speech given by Richard
Tognetti, the Artistic Director and Leader of Australian Chamber
Orchestra, at the Sydney Institute:
From the end of the world: Thoughts about artists and ratbags here and abroad. A ramble and brief history.
Artform reports and reviews
International Arts Policy and Funding
The International Federation of Arts Councils & Culture Agencies
(IFACCA) website has a comprehensive range of international arts
reports and studies.
The Study finds that the industry generated revenues of $1.88 billion in 2008 and contributed $1.1 billion to the Australian economy making it larger than film and video production, sports and physical recreation, book publishing and horse and dog racing.
Australia Council and Major Performing Arts Board
Securing the Future Report 2006 (PDF)
Securing The Future Report 2007 (PDF)
Securing the Future Report 2008 (PDF)
Research which examines key areas of AMPAG companies such as artistic vibrancy and regional access.
Major Performing Arts Inquiry Background (PDF)
A summary of The Major Performing Arts Inquiry (Nugent Report) and subsequent reports
The Major Performing Arts Board (Australia Council) Briefing Information – Categories & Governance 2 (PDF)
Sources of Income (Research commissioned by AMPAG)
Pie charts of ‘sources of income’ by art form and state of the AMPAG companies
Sources of Income All AMPAG 2008 (PDF) Pie chart of ‘sources of income’ for all AMPAG companies
AMPAG Annual Reports
2005 Annual Report (PDF)
2006 Annual Report (PDF)
2007 Annual Report (PDF)
2008 Annual Report (PDF)
2009 Annual Report (PDF)