7MBARGO: NOT FOR PU3LICATION F3FOR 7 P. M. S. T.)
" OR PR ESS: PM. NO. 90/' c61
AUSTRALIAN COUNCIL FOR TH3 ARTS: GRANTS FOR 19Q-69
Statement bv the Prime Minister, Mr. John Gorton
I have received from the Chairman ol the Australian Council for the
\ rts the Counc-il's recommendations for grants to be made by the Commonwealth
Government in support of the performing arts in the current finan-ial year
This is the first year of the Council's existence and it has gi-en
considerable thought to the proper function for Commonwealth support for the
arts in relation to other forms of support. The Commonwealth contribution
is only one among many. The arts belong to the whole communit", and
support for them should come from many sources from State Governments,
from local councils, from public organizations and private individuals. It is
therefore to be hoped that the lead given by the Commonwealth in sponsoring
the arts will encourage support at all levels throughout the Australian
community. In this respect it is heartening to percei; e a growing interest
by man" States in artistic matters. Solendid buildings are being erected in
man" State capi-als and considerable help is beinx given to provide conditions
in which the arts can flourish and Australians can take due pride in their
increasing achievermentc in this field.
The Council is of the opinion that its main concern as a vederal hod"
should be to establish and develop high national standards which will benefit
activity in the arts throughout Australia and stimulate interest abroad in
Australia's cultural achievements Its concern with qualit'r is fundamental
To this end the Coun-il has adopted a princile widJely accepted b7 similar
bodies in other countries, that high standards can best be achieved bi a
concentration of availiable funds rather than by a thin spread over a wide ar?
Much of the Council's work in these earl" stages is exploratory in
nature. It has establishend working comrnmittoes to seek expert opinion on its
various areas of interest with a view to formulating in . he near future long
range policies for Go ' ernment support for the arts in ustralia The
Government understands that a report will shortly be forthcoming from the
Council on the work of its film committee which has begun enquiries into
means by which film making for television rma be supported
The Council has received requests for assistance in manr at. egories
other than the theatre arts to which its grants for this vear have been restricted
It will begin enquiries as soon as possible into the need for assistance in some
of these other fields and will advise the Government of its c-nclusions
In announcing the Council's recommendations for 196 / 69 may I
express the Government's pleasure at being associatad with activities in th.-
arts which contribute so significanily to the enrichment of Australia's national
life and to her reputation in other coun ries.
The grants for 190/ 69 are as follows:
G. ANTS RECOMMENDED BY THE AUSTRALIAN COUNC-L FOR
THE ARTS FCA THE YEAR 1968/ 69
1. Professional Training Institutions
The National Institute of Dramatic Art 26,000
The Australian Ballet School 28,500
A training scheme Lor theatre administrators 5,033
2. National Touring Companies
a) Tihe Australian Ballet 253,00
D, ' The Australian Opera 193,000
The Elizabetiian Trust Orchestra 167, + 3j
d, The Marionette Theatre of Australia 30, 003
3. Regional and State Organia tions
A Direct Financial Assistance
In N. S. W.
The Old Tote Theatre Company 49, 003
In Victoria
Melbourne The-. tre Company 73, 300
B.. llet Victoria b, 030
In South Austrlia
jouth Australian Tleatre Company 19, DJJ
In Cueensland
C ueensiand Thetce Company ior a visit by
tne Old Tote Taeatre Company
A Cueensland Schools Tour ( by the Old Tote
Thea. tre Company) 5, 303
In the i. C. T.
CanberrE. a Tineatre Trust for a visit by the Old
Tote Tneatre Comp... ny, 1,3
Tie Canberra . epertory Society 3, 203
In Western Australia
Tne National Theatre at the Playhouse l, 300
The Western Australian Opera Company 12, 033j
West Australian Ballet Company ,3003
In Tasmania
N.-tional T.-eatre and Fine Arts Society 23, 539
B Assistance for speci; l projects.
A fund to support speci l projects such as the
commissioning o" new works, productions oi
Australian plays, a pool of professional directors,
performers nd othe: experts connected vwitl tile
performing az: ts, and youth ctivities in twis field. 163, J33
4. Federal Co-ordinating and Entrepreneurial
Or ; anizations Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust for administration,
production division, and entrepreneurial activities
T.-e Federal body of the Arts Councils of Australia
for administration and support for national tours34, Y.
Studies and Reports
U. N. S. O. Sexinar on Public Support for the
Performin Arts. 6, -33
6. International Visits from Australia
The VIctorian Universities "-oir, to the International
Universities Choral Festival in New York.
The New Sydney dWoodwind uirintet to the Festival of
Performinr Arts in Manil?.
The University of Adelaide Cuintet, tour of
A: nerica. 5, 7, 303
7. Festivals Canberra Spring Music Festival
Adelaide Festival of Arts
Festival of Pert
Moonoa Festival
Second Australian Universities Irts Festival
Z. Aboriginal Activities in the Performin; Arts 7, 033
1, UX3
15, 00&
6, 33
1,000
li, ; Sc
Payments to these or ; ani. ations will be made through the Australian
Elizabethan Theatre Trust for this financial year.
CANBERRA 11December 19. Le