As part of our economic recovery plan to create and protect local jobs, a re-elected ACT Labor Government will continue to make significant investments in Canberra’s creative industries.
We recognise the immense social and economic value our creative industries provide to our community and we understand the importance of continuing to support our local creative arts industry during the pandemic.
A re-elected ACT Labor Government will continue to work on completing the design work and business case for a new Canberra Theatre precinct in the city to create new jobs and attract bigger shows and concerts to the ACT.
We will also deliver the Kingston Arts Precinct, with detailed design work already underway to provide new purpose-built facilities for a number of Canberra’s visual arts organisations.
In addition to these major projects and our rolling capital improvements program for our arts facilities, we will create jobs and invest in local businesses to upgrade and restore arts organisations in our town centres.
ACT Labor will invest $2 million in the Tuggeranong Arts Centre for upgrades to the theatre to increase capacity for local events on the south-side.
We will also upgrade invest $8 million into Gorman House to enhance accessibility, safety and energy efficiency and commence major heritage restorations in time for the centre’s 100th birthday in 2024.
If re-elected, ACT Labor will establish a creative recovery and resilience sector forum to provide ongoing opportunities to connect, share skills and knowledge.
This will build on our nation-leading support for the creative sector through the pandemic so far.
In consultation with the sector, a re-elected ACT Labor Government will commit to a holistic creative industries policy, drawing together the arts and culture, events, tourism, business and innovation.
We will appoint an ACT Government artist; commission artists to create work responding to the city; and implement a new approach to residency programs while travel is restricted.
ACT Labor will help the arts sector and our creative industries recover from the devastating effects of COVID-19 with a focus on creating and sustaining jobs, building resilience and promoting the role of the arts in our community.
Protecting and creating jobs in our creative sector is part of ACT Labor’s plan to deliver 250,000 jobs by 2025.