The End Sunsets for the Arts campaign has been a resounding success, with Tuesday’s Victorian state budget announcing $11.3 million for the small to medium arts sector including the continuation of “support for successful arts and cultural programs and initiatives that were facing the axe”.

In the lead up to the Coalition’s first budget in government, the AICV campaigned for the continuation of three key Arts Victoria programs: Touring Victoria, Annual Operations and Community Partnerships. These three highly valued programs were funded via the Community Support Fund (CSF) under a four-year commitment by the previous Labor government and were due to sunset June 30 this year. AICV understands that these programs will continue and will be directly funded, rather than via the CSF.

Initial advice is that the Annual Operations program will continue to operate at previous levels, while Community Partnerships and Touring Victoria are currently being reviewed by Arts Victoria in light of the new Regional Transformation initiatives announced by the Government. It is understood that there will be a consequent overall funding increase for community and regional activity with the initiative including “$2 million over four years to support major arts companies to increase touring to country Victoria”.

In contrast to the three programs AICV campaigned for, Arts in the Suburbs will not continue. Arts in the Suburbs provided capital grants for arts infrastructure projects in suburban areas and was similarly funded via the CSF under a four-year commitment.

The Arts Development Fund, an Arts Victoria program that AICV highlighted in the lead up to last year’s Victorian election, did not receive an increase in this budget. The Arts Development Fund offers independent artists support in the creation and presentation of new work and is particularly valued for its unique capacity to support development of new work. The fund is highly competitive with only 25% of applications funded.

Other arts budget highlights include confirmation of funding for the VCA, targeted support for regional and multicultural arts, a new home for Circus Oz and support for Music Victoria.

The AICV will continue to update the website as more information is confirmed.

For further details, please also see the Victorian Budget website and refer to either:

• Media Releases, Office of the Premier, or
• Budget Paper 3 Service Delivery, Chapter 3 Department Premier and Cabinet, Arts and Cultural Development.