New laws to create a statutory authority capable of managing all arts and cultural assets in Western Australia have passed the State Parliament.
The Arts and Culture Trust Act replaces the Perth Theatre Trust Act 1979, and will provide the legislative authority for the Trust to establish, own and operate the proposed $100 million state-of-the-art screen production facility, which is a key election commitment.
The Arts and Culture Trust will replace the Perth Theatre Trust (PTT) which manages some of WA's iconic theatres, including His Majesty's Theatre and the State Theatre Centre. It also manages venues outside the City of Perth such as the Albany Entertainment Centre and Subiaco Arts Centre.
The Arts and Culture Trust will be a statutory authority, managed by a board.
The new Trust will provide:
- greater responsibility for all kinds of art and cultural assets rather than just theatres;
- a State-wide focus and ability to engage in broader commercial activities;
- opportunities to optimise potential flow-on benefits for local businesses and the broader community.
PTT venues, staff and other assets will transfer to the new Trust when the Bill is proclaimed.
The legislation will also provide certainty to resident companies including the Western Australian Symphony Orchestra, Black Swan Theatre Company, the West Australian Opera, and the West Australian Ballet.
As stated by Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman:
"Successive governments over many years have identified the need for reform in relation to the management of WA's cultural assets.
"The new Arts and Culture Trust will help achieve the Government's vision of a having a body that can not only manage theatres, but also other cultural assets around the State.
"This will be particularly important as we progress towards the construction of the $100 million screen production facility that was a key election commitment.
"The new statutory authority will have broader powers and more flexibility to manage our cultural assets for future generations.
"The flexibility will create opportunities for local and surrounding businesses, potentially generating jobs in cultural tourism, hospitality and retail sectors."
