HAVING been given portfolio responsibility for Arts and Museums, including Archives and Libraries, in the recent Ministerial reshuffle, I have a genuine stakehold in seeing art and culture at the heart of our community.
Government is currently reviewing all of its arts funding programs and developing, in consultation with the sector, a new arts policy that will meet our commitment to placing arts and culture at the centre of all Territorians lives.
The Living Arts policy will provide more opportunities for regional communities and the Territory Growth Towns to determine their arts and cultural priorities and provide appropriate support through partnerships and brokerages.
The core objective of the policy will be Arts and Life Long Learning, and this will be underpinned by three priority areas representing arts and learning communities, regional arts service delivery and arts places and spaces; to advance artistic and cultural activities through well planned facilities and Public Art.
Festivals will be an important part of this change because they provide a perfect chance for people to engage with the arts and also provide a sense of community well-being, pride, income and employment opportunities.
As part of our election commitment to develop an Indigenous Employment Partnership for the Northern Territory Music sector, NT government agencies, including ArtsNT and the Department of Regional Development, together with other partners such as the Australian Government, are working together to provide a blueprint for maximising Indigenous employment and opportunities in all areas of the music industry.
We are also currently developing, through public and industry consultation, a 20 year plan – Building Our Museums Sector.
This plan will set future directions for the sector, taking into account the needs and expectations of our growing population and also the responsibility this sector has in contributing to the tourism industry.
In addition to engaging directly with the community, organisations such as Barkly Regional Arts will have an important role to play in the new policy directions, and I urge you to contact them to find out how arts and culture can be a part of your life.
The future looks bright for the arts and cultural sector of the Northern Territory, and I look forward to overseeing some very exciting developments.