THE NUGENT INQUIRY INTO THE MAJOR PERFORMING ARTS


THE NUGENT INQUIRY INTO THE MAJOR PERFORMING ARTS

Mission

The Inquiry will identify options and make recommendations on actions that can be taken both by governments and the sector to ensure that Australia has a financially healthy, artistically vibrant, and broadly accessible major performing arts sector.

Specifics

The Inquiry will identify and report on:

  • the current financial position of Australia's major government subsidised performing arts companies, including the managerial and governance capabilities of the companies; their cost and revenue dynamics; the extent to which the financial health of the companies enhances or impedes their ability to achieve artistic outcomes; and the extent of their accessibility across Australia;
  • the forces driving further change in the sector, including the impact of global and local competition, new technologies, and governments' funding policies on the sector;
  • structural, financial, managerial and governance barriers that may impede the sector's sustainability and development; and
  • measures for action by the companies, Commonwealth and State/Territory Governments to ensure an artistically vibrant and financially stable sector, including structural, financial, managerial and organisational initiatives.

The report should canvass options, including a preferred option, and an implementation strategy over a three year timeframe.

The Inquiry will cover all companies currently funded by the Major Organisations Fund of the Australia Council, the symphony orchestras supported through Symphony Australia, the opera and ballet orchestras, and the state and national opera companies, and will take into account the best way the companies, government, venues and festivals can work together to ensure the long term vibrancy and efficiency of the sector.

The Inquiry will consult funding agencies at Commonwealth and State/Territory levels, companies, venues and festivals, and take account of the full range of Commonwealth and State/Territory objectives for cultural development.