Investing in cultural industries to support job creation

The McGowan Labor Government will further invest in the cultural industries in WA, providing $7.5 million towards the Art Gallery of Western Australia's rooftop activation project.  An additional $2.5 million will go towards the acquisition of contemporary Western Australian, Australian and international art through the TomorrowFund.

Investing in the cultural industries will help support the creation of new jobs and boost economic activity in the cultural space.

This project will contribute to the activation of the Perth Cultural Centre with the planned completion to align with the opening of the New Museum in 2020.

A total of $133.3 million is budgeted to be spent on asset investment in 2017-18, including $121.4 million for the continued delivery of the New Museum Project and $10.2 million for library materials for public libraries and the State reference library.

Touring art exhibitions in regional areas will be boosted with $8 million in funding over the next six years, which will give people living outside the metropolitan region increased access to arts and culture and widen the exposure of collections travelling throughout the State.

Regional museums are unique in enabling people to engage with the region's history, arts and heritage through the preservation of historical artefacts and collections.

To help regional museums promote their collections and attract more visitors, the McGowan Labor Government is establishing a $750,000 fund which will provide grants to regional museums to apply to improve, promote or restore their collections.

For more 2017-18 State Budget information, visit http://www.ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au

Comments attributed to Treasurer Ben Wyatt:

"The cultural industries are a key economic driver for Western Australia and support job creation through events-based tourism and increased economic activity.

"This Budget has been crafted to strike a balance between budget repair and the need to create jobs and stimulate the economy.

"By investing in the cultural industries, we are delivering on our election commitments and supporting the creation of jobs."

Comments attributed to Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman:

"The rooftop activation project will breathe new life into the heart of Perth.  It involves converting a 1,800 square metre roof area to a cultural and commercial venue with a new sculpture as its centrepiece.

"This innovative project is in line with our Creative WA policy and will create a new, vibrant space within the Perth Cultural Centre that will help foster the arts, attract more tourists and create more jobs in the hospitality sector.

"The Art Gallery will secure additional private funds to ensure the completion of the rooftop redevelopment.

"The additional contribution to the TomorrowFund which, along with the generous support of sponsors, has already added more than 200 works of art to the gallery since it was established by the Carpenter Labor government."