| |
Date: 6 May 2003
The 2003-04 State Budget has delivered an extra $127.6 million for arts and cultural projects and $10.4 million in capital funding, Arts Minister Mary Delahunty said today.
"The Bracks Government is committed to making the State's key cultural institutions more accessible, exciting and relevant for all Victorians," Ms Delahunty said.
The Budget includes over $25 million over four years to deliver the Government's election commitments to encourage and grow the arts in Victoria. These funds target innovation, arts and education, community building and access for all Victorians, especially young people and communities in regional Victoria.
Ms Delahunty said arts and culture initiatives over four years included:
- $9.2 million to promote partnerships between the community, the arts and other industries;
- $6.4 million to increase access to Victoria's cultural facilities and collections, including regional galleries and museums;
- $5.4 million to boost the Premier's Literary Awards and improve the quality of books in public libraries;
- $2 million for a touring program for small and medium arts companies; and
- $2.4 million over four years to encourage film production in Victoria.
"The $25.4 million package demonstrates the Government's commitment to making arts and cultural activities available to all Victorians," she said.
The extra recurrent funding for key cultural institutions comprises:
- $30.3 million over four years to put Museum Victoria on a sustainable footing and broaden access to its collections and programs;
- $61.9 million over four years for the National Gallery of Victoria towards increased operational expenses on two campuses - NGV Australia at Federation Square and NGV International on St Kilda Road; and
- $10 million over two years for the Australian Centre for the Moving Image to maintain its position as the premier destination for exploring the moving image in all its forms.
Ms Delahunty said that the refurbished NGV International on St Kilda Road would open later this year, doubling the size of its exhibition spaces.
"When the redeveloped St Kilda Rd gallery opens, the NGV's footprint in Melbourne's arts precinct will be greater than the arena of the MCG. The NGV will provide access to one of the world's finest collections of international and Australian art," she said.
"The arts play a key role in the transition to a knowledge based economy and a culture of innovation. Victoria's major institutions are at the forefront of this transition. They are repositories for our cultural history, they set the highest standards of research and exhibition, and they offer lifelong learning for all Victorians," she said.
The Budget's capital funding for arts and culture comprises:
- $2.6 million for the renewal of exhibitions at Melbourne Museum and the Immigration Museum to promote visitor experience;
- $2.5 million to enhance facilities at the Victorian Arts Centre, ensuring the best possible access for visitors and artists;
- $1.1 million to refit the Victorian Archives building following the relocation of National Gallery staff to NGV International on St Kilda Road; and
- $4.2 million to the National Gallery of Victoria to resolve Occupational Health and Safety issues and comply with updated disability access requirements at NGV International.
Download the Fact Sheets as a PDF (123 KB).
|
