At no point in Vivian Nguyen’s artistic career in Melbourne has she ever felt secure.
What began as a mixture of “optimism and naivety”, as she puts it, quickly gave way to a feeling that the arts scene in Victoria would not offer her the security she craved.
As a young actor, Nguyen knew that if she wanted to create more opportunities for herself, she had to diversify. So, she reinvented herself as a playwright, producer and independent theatre artist, all while juggling a retail job to make ends meet.
Vivian Nguyen has made her own theatre work but still needs a retail job to survive.Credit: Wayne Taylor
“My work wasn’t sufficient for my day-to-day living,” she said.
Now, with six years of professional experience under her belt, Nguyen has had enough. She plans to move to Scotland for better opportunities.
“A lot of my peers have either left the industry or moved overseas or interstate, and I’m planning to do that in a couple of years. That’s probably because there’s a lack of opportunity, or there is, metaphorically speaking, a glass ceiling that we all can’t break through,” she said.
“A lot of our organisations, especially established ones, are talking about cultural maintenance. I’m like, ‘What are we maintaining?’”
Nguyen’s experience reflects a growing sentiment in Victoria’s arts sector, where artists say funding shortfalls are pushing them out.
In the 2024–25 budget, the state government allocated $541.2 million to the creative arts industry – down 15.5 per cent from the $640 million spent in 2023-24 and a 12.3 per cent drop from the $617 million spent in 2022-23.
This funding decline has been the focal point of an ongoing state inquiry launched in 2023, investigating how Victoria’s cultural industries are being supported. Though due to finalise its report in November 2024, the inquiry began accepting submissions only late last year and has since received 41.
The inquiry chair, Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell, said recommendations would be presented mid-year, with the government required to respond within six months.
“Something that’s come through from submissions is that it’s very clear that this industry, which is obviously very broad-ranging and encompasses a lot of people … has felt a significant hit,” Purcell said.
“Across the board, they’re all feeling a strain, and I’m sure there’s probably a relation to the cost-of-living crisis, as well as funding and, of course, the impacts of COVID-19.”
Animal Justice MP Georgie Purcell is chairing the inquiry.Credit: Eddie Jim
Last week, the inquiry held two public hearings featuring more than 15 representatives, including from SBS, Theatre Network Australia and La Mama Theatre.
It is scrutinising Victoria’s share of national arts spending, the financial health of arts training organisations, and whether state and federal policies are enough to keep the sector afloat.
A state government spokesperson defended its record to this masthead, citing continued investment in creative industries and the economic benefits of major events.
“We understand the challenges that are being faced by artists and creatives right now, which is why we’ll continue to invest in programs that support the full spectrum of creative talent and industries,” the spokesperson said.
“Tourists spent a record $39.7 billion in Victoria last year, with international travellers flocking to our state faster than anywhere else in Australia, and that has happened because of our continued investment in securing world-class major events that people travel for.”
The lack of funding meant that last year, La Mama Theatre said it would pause programming in 2025. Chief executive Caitlin Dullard said the theatre had been operating on the same amount of funding from Creative Victoria for more than a decade.
“The need for artists to come to us just grows every year, and our resources have not grown with that,” she said.
“What it means is, for one year, there are limited opportunities for artists in an environment where already there are not enough opportunities. But I firmly believe this year makes for better opportunities moving forward.”
Dullard warns that without direct investment in artists, Victoria risks losing its creative workforce.
Chief executive and artistic director of La Mama Theatre, Caitlin Dullard.Credit: Joe Armao
The Melbourne Theatre Company (MTC) has echoed similar concerns, saying Australia’s theatre industry needs more support and sustained funding from the government and philanthropists.
MTC is staging The Removalists at present, a play that first emerged at La Mama 50 years ago, and said that while early development programs help, they aren’t enough.
“Australia’s theatre and cultural ecosystem needs support at all levels to thrive,” MTC said. “Only when the entire sector is healthy and able to invest in artists and new work do we have the best chance of cultivating the innovators and classics of tomorrow.
“Similarly, opportunities need to be created and nurtured for Australian artists and creatives as they are key to our culture and sense of Australian identity. Investing in our future also means investing in our future industry leaders.”
The struggle for funding became woven into the Peacemongers show itself. Pictured is performer Sonya Suares.Credit: Darren Gill
Theatre director Morgan Rose said funding cuts had put the future of Victoria’s cultural scene at risk.
Her show, Peacemongers, faced a four-year delay due to COVID-19, and during this time, the team was rejected for funding numerous times.
Rose said the show was ultimately able to move forward with funding from local councils and support from Darebin Arts Speakeasy.
When Rose moved to Melbourne in 2013, she says she was promised an arts “wonderland” but has since watched opportunities dry up.
“A Creative Victoria [funding] round just went, but we didn’t even apply because it felt pointless,” she said. “There’s not enough money to go around. Why waste our time?”
For Dullard, fostering a thriving arts environment means supporting the grassroots and independent sectors, which she calls “the backbone of the whole industry”.
“We’re seeing exceptional, committed, wonderful artists leave because there’s not enough opportunities. And we’re seeing the next generation not take that leap because they don’t see a viable career in the arts,” she said.
“If we do not give money straight to the artists, we will not have artists in 30 years’ time.”
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