We have abandoned our arts industry when show must go on

Worth billions and driving the state’s tourism, arts have been abandoned, says Catryna Bilyk

AT the stage door of every theatre in every town, at some point, a director, a producer, an actor or props manager has uttered to themselves “the show must go on”.

Half prayer, half force of will, the phrase embodies the determination that drives the arts in overcoming every obstacle that is thrown at it.

COVID-19 is an obstacle unlike any the arts industry has seen. The theatres have gone silent and closed their curtains. Many of the galleries, live music venues, museums,

TV production sets and artistrun initiatives that are the stage for Australia’s $111 billion arts and creative industries remain closed.

While social distancing restrictions protect us from the virus, the value of the arts has taken on even greater significance, as we turn to books, music, television and movies to get us through.

A vibrant arts industry has given Australians staying at home the gift of keeping their minds active, and a connection with the outside world.

In return, artists have received the slings and arrows of government policy which fail to even meet the basic needs of a sector in crisis.

Many of these artists are ineligible for support measures such as the JobKeeper wage subsidy, despite losing 100 per cent of their income. Labor welcomes any funding, including the $27 million package announced by the Morrison Government, and the $1.5 million package from the Tasmanian Government.

Other states and territories have provided support, but far more is needed to save a $111 billion industry from disaster.

Live Performance Australia estimates its industry alone needs $850 million to get to the other side, 30 times what the government is offering.

This is why Labor is calling for a tailored package, one that meets real needs, and is based on consultation with the sector. The Liberals’ abandonment of the arts industry at its time of greatest need is what we’ve come to expect from a party that cut nearly $90 million from the arts in their horror 2014 Budget, withdrew $105 million from the independent Australia Council in 2015 and directed it to the “Catalyst” slush fund, and axed the federal arts department in December 2019.

The screen industry faces a further crisis caused by a decision to suspend local content quotas for Australian drama, documentary and children’s programs. In April, when Australia Council grants were announced, 49 small-tomedium organisations lost their funding. This included Tasmanian organisations, and compounds the damage wreaked by COVID-19.

Hobart-based Kickstart Arts lost about two-thirds of its revenue, putting at risk school-based programs and programs working with at-risk groups such as migrants and refugees, and offenders with drug addiction on diversion orders. The cut to Kickstart not only puts at risk community enjoyment, but also many social benefits.

Hobart-based Australian Plays will struggle to provide its publishing, licensing and promotion services. Australian Plays is the largest digital publisher of plays in Australia, and playwrights rely on it to connect with educators, producers and performers. Without it, many playwrights will struggle to earn a living. Launceston-based Tasdance, which also does development work in Hobart, has no state or federal funding committed after 2021, a major blow for our only professional dance company, due to celebrate its 40th anniversary next year.

There are many good reasons for the arts to be a policy priority for any government. Tasmania knows full well its enormous economic value. We only need look at how Mona and festivals such as Ten Days on the Island and Dark Mofo have been instrumental in promoting Tasmania as a tourist destination.

But, above the thousands of jobs and tourists, the arts have enormous social benefits, and build mental wellbeing and social connection. Australia’s arts industry has been there when we have needed it most — raising millions when

Australians were suffering through the bushfire crisis.

While outrageous fortune has caused this calamity, failure by the Morrison Government to appropriately respond has left the arts industry in a sea of trouble.

If the Morrison Government does not get this right, the show won’t go on, the curtains won’t open again.

And we will be much poorer for it.