The arts and artists are chronically underfunded. Arts organisations struggle with funding uncertainties, and artists are leaving the sector in droves because it’s too hard to make ends meet.

It’s time to treat the arts as a public good, matched by public funding.

Art is fundamental to our society. It brings us joy, fun, deep thinking, connection with each other, and new ways of understanding the world and our place in it.

The arts also play a key role in Victoria’s economy. It contributes 7% of our total economy, and 9% of the Victorian workforce is employed in creative industries. Beyond this, millions of visitors come to Victoria every year to attend our galleries and museums, festivals, theatres, music events and more.

That’s why I’m pushing for a pilot program to give artists a stable foundation to develop, create and innovate, as well as a Sick Pay for the Arts scheme, to give artists and arts workers the same rights as other casual and contract workers.

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