Arts Hub, Richard Watts

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Performing arts representatives in Victoria have expressed dismay that their sector has not been included in a recently-announced strategy to bolster the creative industries.

Nicole Beyer, Director, Theatre Network Victoria, echoed Howitt’s concerns.

‘It is heartening that Minister Foley has kept his word and has started the process of developing a creative industries strategy, and we applaud this. We also know that the members of the Taskforce and the Expert Reference Group are all highly committed, passionate and intelligent people, and will bring a diverse range of perspectives to the strategy. We are disappointed, though, that the Taskforce itself doesn’t have representation from the subsidised performing arts sector – this sector is the biggest cohort of organisations and artists supported through the Organisations Investment Program and Vic Arts Grants, so it is an oversight to not have someone on the taskforce who understands this sector’s aspirations and needs,’ she said.

‘Similarly we would like to see more representation from our sector on the Expert Reference Group. We are such a big sector, from our major theatre, dance and circus companies to our small to medium companies and festivals, and our prolific independent artists, that to lose this sector’s confidence in the process would be a shame.

‘We know that consultation is planned with all sectors, but we also know that consultation outcomes are always distilled in the final mix. We really need someone to be an integral part of the policy development team, who can take carriage of our issues all the way through the process,’ Beyer concluded.