2020-07-07 Services & Organisation Committee Agenda

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE AGENDA                                                7 JULY 2020


2019 Action Plan – Actions Needing Closer Attention

The review of the 2019 Action Plan identified four actions that need closer attention and these will
have priority in the delivery of the 2020/21 Action Plan.
 i.    A review of Council’s approach to visual and performing art in public places:
       a.   2020/21 – draft Public Arts Policy to be developed including community consultation
 ii.   Work with stakeholders to improve awareness of publicly accessible small spaces for
       performance, rehearsals and exhibitions:
       a.   A number of physical venues have closed following the COVID-19 pandemic. The
            Cultural Working Group will collaborate with Regional Arts Services Network (RASN)
            to undertake an audit of existing small public performing or exhibiting spaces and
            associated opportunities which can support and mentor local performing artists
iii.   Work with stakeholders to improve marketing of cultural venues, activities and events:
       a.   To be prioritised in 2020/21
iv.    Review Council’s model for cultural development:
       a.   2019 - an internal review of Council’s cultural service activities and methods of delivery
            completed. Potential structure options that may address identified resourcing gaps
            explored
       b.   2020/21 – review to continue

Impact of COVID-19 on Cultural Sector
The impact of COVID-19 on the cultural sector is being felt around the world at a national, regional
and local level. Venues catering to all art forms have had to abruptly close to the public, cancelling
performing and exhibiting opportunities to artists.
It has also transpired that many of the artists impacted by COVID-19 have been deemed ineligible
for Jobkeeper. This has been compounded by the fact that artists at various stages of their careers
often have secondary sources of income as casual employees and many of these work
opportunities have declined.
Even as the cultural sector moves into the recovery phase, attendance at venues is strictly limited,
in many cases making the staging of performances prohibitive. Similar, attendance at Galleries is
markedly down as restrictions on interstate and international tourism has cut into usual attendance
numbers. Additionally, the broader economic downturn means that there is less discretionary
income for cultural products.
On the positive side, communities are turning to culture as a source of comfort, well-being and
connection during this uncertain time. An opportunity exists as the recovery phase continues to
make use of cultural sector product to help drive domestic tourism alongside other offerings. After
long delays, the Federal Government has just announced its first response package to support
artists, arts practitioners, arts groups and arts organisations coping with the impact of COVID-19.
The package acknowledges the significant impact of COVID-19 on the sector, and focuses on
stabilising arts companies, securing jobs for artists and arts workers and delivering COVID-19 safe
cultural experiences for audiences.

2020/21 Implementation Action Plan
The proposed 2020/21 Action Plan, included at Attachment 3, includes twenty-eight actions across
the six Cultural Plan themes. The actions were selected by Council’s Cultural Plan Working Group,
which includes representatives from Libraries and Galleries, Community Development, Corporate
Services, Environment and Sustainable Development and Infrastructure Services.
The 2020/21 actions have been selected to build on the work previously undertaken, to make
progress on the priority focus areas and to provide support to the cultural sector following the
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