Governance in Victorian Arts Organisations
In 2007-08, researchers from Deakin University undertook a study of the governance of small-to-medium arts organisations on behalf of Arts Victoria. The study focussed on the characteristics, procedures and practices of arts boards.
The study was based on:
- an online survey of non-government arts organisations across Victoria; and
- in-depth case studies of 8 selected organisations.
The main findings of the study included:
- arts boards are generally functioning well;
- the motivation for joining the board is largely to make a contribution to a particular organisation and/or to give something to the community;
- artistic knowledge and expertise is predominant in board membership;
- board members spend more time on current issues and operational matters, than on strategic planning;
- boards that have an orientation program and a formal evaluation program are more likely to demonstrate improved board performance
- boards investigated were undergoing considerable change, with a "new generation" of arts leaders.
A report of the study, Performance and Conformance of Victorian Arts Boards (PDF 222KB), by Ruth Rentschler and Jennifer Radbourne, was published in April 2008.