Arts industry supports the footy but insiders say let’s ease up on theatres too
There’s frustration in the arts about Brisbane hosting the AFL grand final while theatres are still struggling to find a way to operate.
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Having the AFL grand final in Brisbane is inconsistent, according to some in an arts sector still largely shut down by the pandemic.
Some acknowledge sport is important for recovery, while others say theatres should be allowed to have more people if 30,000 are going to attend the Gabba for the AFL grand final.
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Marianne Edmonds, co-director of Loud Events, a company that works with the arts sector and major sponsors of the arts says she believes sport, like the arts, is imperative for mental health but that there is a lack of consistency in the government’s approach.
“It’s frustrating to see that a stadium will be operating with 30,000 people in it,” Ms Edmonds said.
“They can all cheer with a beer in their hands while QPAC is hardly operating.
“It’s heartbreaking.”
Ann Thompson, director of Brisbane’s Medici Concerts series has had to cancel events this year. She brings some of the best pianists from around the world here and believes the arts is coming second to sport at times.
‘The Arts contributes approximately $50 billion to Australia’s GDP,” Ms Thompson said. “This is where our focus and support should be, not for a one-off event.”
Queensland Minister for Environment and the Great Barrier Reef, Science and the Arts, Leeanne Enoch said the government was working to support the arts as well as sport with its $22.5 million Arts and Cultural Recovery Package.
“Queensland is in a strong position to support the reawakening of the arts and cultural sector just as we have done with the AFL and other sporting codes,” Ms Enoch said.
“Audiences were welcomed back to six performing arts venues statewide from July, as a result of Palaszczuk Government funding of nearly $200,000 to pilot COVID Safe reopening.
This pilot program supported programming at the Brisbane Powerhouse, Home of the Arts (Gold Coast), Cairns Performing Arts Centre, Tank Arts Centre (Cairns), Empire Theatre (Toowoomba) and Ipswich Civic Centre.
“Queensland Government funding has also been committed to directly support programming at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, including Club Cremorne, Green Jam, and a forthcoming program of performances by major Queensland performing arts companies.
“Arts Queensland and Queensland Health have actively supported the arts and cultural sector to develop Industry COVID-safe plans
“The Government is continuing to work with venues, through Stage Queensland, to safely maximise venue capacity to support the ongoing viability of venues and productions, while still ensuring the safety of patrons, artists and venue staff.”
The QPAC Unlocked program continues tonight with small audiences. Chief executive John Kotzas said he acknowledged sport had bigger crowds because it was outdoors.
“We have more restrictions because we’re in contained spaces indoors,” Mr Kotzas said.
“No one is telling us we can’t work but for us the rules are different. It’s confusing to some people but we are reimagining how to operate. I don’t feel jealous about sport.”
Zohar Spatz, executive director of La Boite theatre company which cancelled its entire season 2020 has been focusing on developing new work and supporting local talent while shut down. She’s supportive of the grand final.
“It shouldn’t be about arty types versus sporty types,” Ms Spatz said.
“We can do both. In fact I think sport is art too – it is passionate, transcendent and it beings people together.
“I can’t wait for the AFL grand final. I would kill for a ticket but I’m not sure who to call.”
Actor Bryan Probets says there are “conflicting standards” that “been accentuated by this crisis”
“It’s beyond me as to why the first thing that was dispensable when COVID first hit was the Arts, yet the first thing we protected was our sport industry, particularly football, “Mr Probets said.
“One of the many ironies becoming apparent is that as an artist, if I was to perform in a show, I’d have to do so in front of an audience of 50, keep my distance from other performers and try not to breathe on anybody.
“Whereby if I played football, I’d have all my needs met, I could do so in front of a mass crowd and maintain contact at all times. “
Queensland Theatre artistic director Lee Lewis says she still has reservations about the AFL grand final.
Queensland Theatre has just announced a return to the stage in November with a local play, The Holidays, but it will need a longer season than normal due to limited seating in the Bille Brown Theatre.
“We will be having 170 people in our venue and we have real questions about managing that so how are they proposing to manage 30,000 people?” Ms Lewis said.
“Of course if they manage it well and it works that could help theatres get back to full capacity.
“I’m crossing my fingers that sport keeps us on the right track. If they can do it I say, let’s go.”