NSW Budget 2019: More than $800m to make Sydney, NSW culture scene ‘envy of the nation’

More than $800m has been allocated to upgrade Sydney’s iconic cultural institutions including the Sydney Opera House and Australian Museum.

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More than $800 million is being invested to make NSW’s arts, screen and culture the “envy of the nation” and draw tourist and production money so Sydney.

The State Government has outlined a $871 million spend on arts and culture in its 2019-20 State Budget, which will deliver funding to the Australian Museum, the Sydney Opera House and the relocation of the Powerhouse Museum to Parramatta.

$40 million has been allocated to the Australian Museum for education and visitor facilities and to continue work on its new touring exhibition hall, set to open in time for the King Tutankhamun exhibition in 2021.

Art Gallery of NSW will get more funding. Picture: Amos Aikman

The museum’s operational budget for the next 12 months has been boosted by $9.7 million, and will rise by $39 million over the next four years.

The Art Gallery of NSW’s Sydney Modern Project will receive $103.4 million, the new Powerhouse Precinct will get $167.2 million and $113.5 million will go to the Walsh Bay Arts Precinct.

$76.6 million will go to the Sydney Opera House’s renewal program, which will be used to fund ongoing improvements to its security systems.

New South Wales Minister for the Arts, Don Harwin said the funding was a 22 percent increase. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images for AFI

The Made in NSW program – which aims to draw domestic and international film producers to Sydney – will receive $15 million in 2019-20, and $55 million over the next four years.

While $61 million is being funneled into the Arts and Cultural Development Program, including funds for Darlinghurst’s National Art School.

Arts Minister Don Harwin said this year’s commitments represented a 22 per cent increase in recurrent funding.

State Treasurer Dominic Perrottet speaks to the media after handing down the Liberal Government's budget after winning the state election in March. Picture: Toby Zerna

“The NSW Government is creating an arts, screen and culture landscape that is the envy of the nation,” he said.

“These industries play a pivotal role in delivering significant economic and social benefits to our state.

“To drive screen investment from domestic and international producers we are increasing our Made in NSW fund to $15 million this year and $55 million over the next four years to attract productions to our state.

“The fund’s $43 million investment to date has already delivered an estimated $700 million to the NSW economy - I can’t wait to see what the future holds for production in our state.”