New models, new money: a foundation for the artist

Centre for Social Impact, June 2010, Australia

The arts, creativity and culture are central to social and economic life, highly valued and greatly enjoyed by almost all Australians. The creative economy contributes as much to the national economy as agriculture, and the importance of these activities is set to increase in the twenty-first century.

Ensuring that this potential is realised requires robust institutions, successful companies, well-trained and resourced artists in all fi elds. It also requires knowledgeable audiences and appropriate public, private and corporate funding − to encourage and reward innovation, excellence and participation.

There is a particular need to find fresh ways to support the work of individual artists who are creating new work. These artists are the research scientists of the creative economy, in time their work will fill theatres, cinemas, galleries, bookshops and countless digital devices. But their infl uence will extend further – impacting on the education curriculum, delivery of health care, the design of public and private spaces and the way Australia is perceived internationally.

Support for the arts and culture comes from the public and private sectors, philanthropists, audiences and family members. In recent years the bulk of public and corporate money has been directed to institutions and companies, which has helped build their resilience, capacity and appeal. Direct public sector support for individual artists has fallen by a third – in number and amount – since the mid-1990s.

Research undertaken for this report documents the decline. It also examines the new models adopted internationally to encourage innovation, sustainable practice and effective cultural enterprises. Many of these new models are incompatible with the models, risk profi les and fund raising mechanisms of existing arts funding agencies in Australia.

The conclusion this report reaches is that there is a need for a new independent organisation, A  Foundation for the Artist, to achieve these objectives and diversify and broaden the support available for individual artists and the creation of new work. The Foundation would complement existing agencies, work cooperatively with the Commonwealth, State and Territory governments, and collaborate with the corporate sector and private foundations.

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