Dear VIC Members,

Last night the 2024-25 state budget was handed down by the Allen government.

You can read the statement from Creative Victoria here, which includes some commitments for new initiatives as well as some that were up for renewal. Some relevant announcements to the performing arts sector include:

• The $4.5m over three years for the next National Performing Arts Partnership Framework (NPAPF) is a commitment by the state government to continue backing our NPAPF organisations in partnership with the Federal government. This money is a continuation of the existing commitment, and as far as we are aware does not include any new or increased investment.
• A new commitment of $4.5m over four years to bolster creative festivals and events across the state (not including $2m for the games sector). This funding will support festivals that play important roles in the sector ecology, prioritising those that are at risk.
• Some lapsing programs were not renewed in this budget, including Creators Fund, and grant programs for creative spaces/places.
• There have been no changes to Creative Projects, Creative Ventures, or Creative Enterprises Programs.
• The Creative Projects round that was due to have recipients announced at the end of April is not affected, with results to come soon.

We knew from the outset that this would be a slim budget for many sectors while the Victorian government prioritises paying down its debt. It was to be expected that some programs would not be renewed in this budget, and existing commitments continued at their current investment levels.

2025 is the final year of the current iteration of the state’s cultural policy, Creative State 2025, and so the next budget in 2025/26 represents an opportunity for the sector and government to work together to design and resource Creative State 2029. TNA is already preparing for this work, and will be advocating for actions in the policy that support and strengthen the performing arts sector.