✅ Secured an approximate ~10% funding increase for ACT arts organisations, representing $3.070 million over four years including $720,000 indexed and ongoing from 2025-26
✅ Provided an additional one-off $200,000 to arts organisations in recognition of the need for further support due to cost pressures in 2024-25
✅ Released and commenced work on a Statement of Ambition for the Arts for Canberra to become recognised as Australia’s Arts Capital, including:
- Delivered a new ACT Arts, Culture and Creative Policy in partnership with the ACT arts community
- Delivered a new ACT Arts Organisation Investment Program Framework with the ACT arts community
- Announced funding outcomes under the ACT Arts Organisation Investment Program, including three new Emerging Arts Organisations
✅ Secured over $28 million to progress the Canberra Theatre Redevelopment Project to develop the planning and preliminary design of the new Canberra Theatre Centre
✅ Commenced a two-stage procurement process for a new 2,000 seat Lyric Theatre as part of the Canberra Theatre Redevelopment project
✅ Upgraded and remediated the Former Transport Depot in Kingston, home of the Old Bus Depot Markets
✅ In response to the pandemic, delivered over $1.2 million to ACT live entertainment venues over two rounds of the Amp It Up! program and $350,000 for a third round of HOMEFRONT funding to support 68 ACT artists
✅ Delivered the $711,000 Creative Recovery and Resilience program designed to focus on employment and economic stimulus for the creative sector in ACT
✅ Secured the filming of scenes in the ACT for international screen productions Blacklight and Austin, which provided employment opportunities for the local screen industry and significant economic uplift for the ACT
✅ Delivered a public artwork commemorating The Hon. Susan Ryan AO
✅ Introduced free loading zone permits for musicians to access loading zones for up to 30 minutes to load and unload musical equipment, as part of a 12-month trial
✅ Implemented new fit-for-purpose Noise Standards in the City Centre Entertainment Precinct to protect and support the Territory's entertainment and cultural scene
✅ Upgraded the Street Theatre to improve user experiences with the back of house facilities
I’m working on:
✅ Commissioning a new public artwork to celebrate Stasia Dabrowski OAM by a woman or gender diverse/nonbinary artist
✅ Delivering the Kingston Arts Precinct, which will house 6 leading ACT arts organisations and a new space for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
✅ Investing $8 million in major heritage restorations and building upgrades at Gorman House Arts Centre, bolstered by a $5 million commitment from Federal Labor
✅ Progressing the Canberra Theatre Redevelopment Project
✅ Completing the ACT Creative Industries Assessment in partnership with University of Canberra
✅ Continue working with Screen Canberra to attract big screen productions to the ACT, including through the pilot Canberra Screen Attraction Fund
A re-elected ACT Labor Government will pursue an ambitious plan for Canberra’s artists and creative economy. You can read all about it here.
