- Cook Government investing $5.9 million over next two years to support major WA arts sector employers
- 35 small to medium arts organisations to benefit from $359,000 funding boost
- Bunbury Regional Gallery and Geraldton Regional Gallery to share in $300,000 of additional investment over next three years
The Cook Labor Government is injecting $5.9 million in new funding over the next two years to support Western Australia's biggest creative sector employers to continue providing employment opportunities for local talent and create new artistic works to showcase locally and abroad.
This increase will also help Black Swan State Theatre Company, Marrugeku Inc, West Australian Ballet Company, West Australian Opera Company and the West Australian Symphony Orchestra to better absorb any rising production and touring costs.
A further 35 small-to-medium arts organisations will share in a funding increase of $359,000 through the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries' Arts Organisation Investment Program (AOIP).
In recognition of their ongoing regional impact, Bunbury Regional Gallery and Geraldton Regional Gallery will benefit from additional AOIP funding, with an extra $300,000 allocated for the remaining three-year term of their contract.
Other major Cook Government initiatives to boost Western Australia's arts, culture and creative industries include:
- a new WA Screen Strategy to guide attraction of larger scale productions to WA and stimulate development of local creative content for film, TV, and digital media; and
- construction of the $233.5 million screen production facility near Malaga.
This investment comes in addition to a range of significant investments in arts and cultural infrastructure already funded by the WA Labor Government, including:
- $400 million for the WA Museum Boola Bardip;
- $150 million for the Perth Concert Hall redevelopment;
- $55 million for the Perth Cultural Centre redevelopment; and
- $15 million for the restoration of balconies at His Majesty's Theatre.
As stated by Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman:
"Guiding the growth of our State's arts, culture and creative industries remains a priority and we are backing this up with continued investment.
"That is why the 2024-25 State Budget includes $5.9 million in new funding for various creative industries, to support employment opportunities for local creatives, creation of new works and production and touring costs to showcase our talent across the State, nation and world.
"In my work as part of the Cook Government, I have been firmly focused on building a better future for all who work in the sector.
"The arts and our creative industries are essential for community wellbeing, the creation of jobs and the diversification of our economy."
