FOR PRESS: P. M. No 111/ 1970
AUSTRALIAN COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS:
MAJOR GRANTS FOR 1971
Statement byL the Prime Minister,. Mr. John Gorton
I have received from the Australian Council for the Artj recommendations
concerning the major grants to be made by the Commonwealth Government in the
current financial year.
Following last year's pattern, my Government has again provided on the
recommendation of the Council a considerable increase in support for the arts. The
Council's Budget for 1970-1971 has been increased by $ 1 million to $ 3.85 million.
In addition, a further sum of $ 1 million has been provided for the Film Development
Corporation. We have done this as evidence of our concern for the quality of life
which Australians should be able to enjoy. Our country has a most distinctive
cultural tradition one in which a unique natural environment, sporting and outdoor
pastimes and freedom to ' choose a wide variety of leisure pursuits all bring personal
happiness an--d enrichment. The arts in particular have a special place in that margin
forfuifilment which remains between routine daily existence and joy in living.
My Government is gratified to see the surge of enthusiasm and activity
made possible in the arts by the last two years of the Council's work. More and
more talented young people are pursuing creative careers as actors, singers, dancers,
musicians, writers, designers and directors. The big companies which now provide
professional employment for hundred3 df Australian artists are reaching higher
standards and a wider public in city and country. Added stimulus comes from the
world's great performers and directors who now come readily to wlork with these
companies. We can now look back on more than two years of activities. The broad
lines of the Council's work are established. Great importance is attached to professional
training. Funds are concentrated to encourage the highest standards of performance
in the national companies. In conjunction with State Governments, who give to the
arts with increasing generosity, regional companies are supported in all capital cities.
The needs of country people are provided for. Festivals and special productions
throughout the country receive regular as'sistance. Our international activities are
increasing. A research programme examines the needs of the arts and suggests new
areas for assistance. This consolidation is gratifying. But it is not enough. hi the arts
established activity must always be balanced by new development. It is right for the
big drama and opera and ballet companies to present what is best and most lasting
in the cultural traditions of our past. But at the same time changing needs must be
identified and fresh artistic drives liberated. / 2
In the 1970s we must make possible the classics of the twenty-f irst
century. Investment in the future means tolerating and supporting unfamiliar ideas,
experimental forms and new expression. It means ensuring that young people with
vision can break with accepted and comfortable tradition and find a climate in which
unorthodoxy can flourish.
Each year the Council moves into new areas. Last year it recommended
support for Australian film and television makers. That support has now been given.
A professional training school is in the planning stage; young film makers are
already producing experimental films with our assistance; the Film Development
Corporation-now provides funds for the commercial industry.
Moving forward is the function of the Council's development funds for'
music, aboriginal arts, festivals, film and television and special projects. This year
we have added another fund for youth and education programmes. The Council is
convinced that one of its most important roles will be the encouragement of programmes
which develop talent and stimulate interest in the arts for young people both within the
education system and without. It is heartening to see the response from educationists
and from State Governments which have already given generous support for pilot
programmes in many fields. Co-operative action of this kind will make possible
far gr . ater achievement than we could manag; e alone.
The development funds assist large and small projects all over Australia.
Aboriginal musicians come together in Arnhem Land with a touring wind quintet;
Sir Tyrone Guthrie mounts major productions in Melbourne and Sydney; a workshop
play about King O'Malley grows into a successful touring production; a film director
goes out to help a school film club. As programmes prove successful they are
absorbed into the regular grants of the Council and the funds move on to new
activities. This year we hope to encourage more invention and experiment through
the Special Projects Fund and assist still further community projects begun with
help from city councils, trade unions and welfare organisations. The arts must weave
into the whole fabric of our society.
Internationally our programme is also greatly expanding. We need the
stimulus and pleasure to be derived from world class orchestras and companies vh ich
visit us. We are able increasingly to show our best professional-performers to the
world. This year we have sent abroad excellent chamber groups. The Melbourne
Symphony Orchestra has gone to America. The Australian Ballet will leave before
Christmas to tour the United States with Rudolf Nureyev.
It is my Government's hope that this varied and growing activity will bring
great pleasure to the lives of all Australians.
Grants from the Development Funds and research programnme are announced
regularly throughout the year. It is my pleasure now to announce the first series of
major grants for 1971 based on the recommendations by the Council.
GRANTS RECOMMENDED BY THE AUSTRALIAN COUICIL FOR THE ARTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 DECEMBER 19/ 1
1. NATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMMES
National Institute of Dramatic Art 72,000
The Australian Ballet School 58,000
Professional Training Programmes for Theatre Personnel 60,000
Opera Training Scheme 50, 000
Interim Council for a National Film and Television
Training School 85,000
Travel Grants 25,000
2. NATIONAL ORGANISATIONS
National TouringCompanies
Te Austrai-Banlt--ompany 370, 000
The Australian Opera Company 410,000
The Elizabethan Trust Orchestras 480,000
The Marionette Theatre of Australia 55,000
State Drama Com anies
The Old Tote Theatre Company, N. S. W. 165,000
The Melbourne Theatre Company 180, 000
The South Australian Theatre Company 45,000
The Queensland Theatre Company 45,000
The Canberra Theatre Trust 15,000
The National Theatre at the Playhouse, Perth 45, 500
The National Theatre and Fine Arts Society, Tasmania 34, 500
Federal Co-ordinating and Entrepreneurial
Orginisations ' Te AUEs-idn Elizabethan Theatre Trust 262,000
The Arts Council of Australia Federal Division 110,000
Musica Viva Society of Australia 8,000
REGIONAL ORGANISATIONS
New South Wales Professional Drama, Sdne'
The Ensemble Theatre
The Independent Theatre ( in total) 20,000
The Community Theatre
Victoria The Theatre Guild ( St. Martin's) Ltd. 10,000
The Victorian Opera Company 6,000
The Victorian Ballet Guild ( Ballet Victoria) 5, 750 / 2
South Australia
The Australian Dance Theatre 5, 750
Queensland The Queensland Ballet Company 7,000
The Queensland Opera Company 13,000
Western Australia
The Western Australian Opera Company 12,000
The Western Australian Ballet Company 12,000
The Hole in the Wall Theatre 3,000
Australian Capital Territog
The Canberra Repertory Society 5,500
4. DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES
Special Projects Fund details to be announced 250,000
Aboriginal Arts Programme details to be announced 60,000
Music Programme details to be announced 100,000
Festivals Programme details to be announced 60,000
Film and Television Programme details to be announced 210,000
Youth and Education Programme details to be announced 80,000
RESEARCH PROGRAMME
Details to be announced 20,000
6. INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMME
The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, American tour B. 80, 000
The Australian Ballet Company, American tour 50, 000
The New Sydney Wind Quintet, South-Eaut Asian tour( Muslca Viva) 5,000
Percussions de Strasbourg ( Musica Viva) 9,000
Zurich Chamber Orchestra ( Musica Viva) 5,000
Mozart's English Friends ( Arts Council of Australia) 5,000
Le Treateau de Paris ( Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust) 20,000
CANBERRA/ SYDNEY
4 December 1970
NOTE: The Council is holding a Press Conference at Sabemo Houce in Sydney at
3 o'clock this afternoon ( Friday 4 December).