Australian public investment in arts and culture has dipped, placing the nation near the bottom of OECD countries for cultural spending, sparking calls for government-backed youth ticket vouchers and alternative funding models. State governments are now contributing more to the arts than the federal government, a first, with state investment at 39 per cent and federal at 36 per cent of total spend.
A coalition, 'Save Our Arts', has put forward a proposal for $100 ticket vouchers for teenagers. These vouchers, modeled on programs in France and Italy, would be redeemable through Services Australia with registered cultural providers. This initiative aims to counter Australia's low ranking of 25th out of 31 OECD nations for spending on recreation, culture, and religion, spending a quarter less than comparable countries.
The proposal is a response to what is described as a stagnation in arts investment, exacerbated by the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on live music venues and festivals. The Australia Institute, a research body, has also advocated for such 'youth cultural passes' as a cost-effective way to bolster the struggling live music sector. Their research suggests these passes could revitalise the industry by subsidising ticket costs for young people, fostering greater participation and supporting local artists.
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"A government-funded cultural pass could revitalise Australia’s struggling live music sector. The proposal… aims to subsidise concert ticket costs for young people, encouraging greater participation in cultural events."
Funding Gaps and Proposed Solutions
Beyond direct youth engagement, broader funding concerns are being raised. The Australia Institute has suggested alternative revenue streams for state governments to increase arts support. These include raising coal royalties and ceasing fossil fuel subsidies.
Another proposed funding avenue involves a 5 per cent levy on Australian subscribers of platforms like Spotify, Amazon, and Apple. This levy would specifically aim to fund new local acts, which advocates argue have become increasingly marginalised on these global streaming services.
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Context of Declining Investment
This push for new funding mechanisms follows significant cuts to arts funding, particularly in the wake of COVID-19 stimulus measures. The termination of programs like the RISE fund, which supported both non-profit and commercial creative activities, and reductions in funding for contemporary music and Screen Australia, have contributed to a perceived "scaling down of crisis-level funding". While baseline funding for the Australia Council has remained relatively steady, it has only kept pace with inflation.
Previous government initiatives, such as the 'Active and Creative Kids' vouchers, offered by some state governments like New South Wales, provide a precedent for subsidised access to activities, though the scope and current availability of such programs may vary.
