Creative task force to lead revival of embattled arts industry

Elizabeth Ann Macgregor, of Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Art, leads a new 12-member advisory panel.

Elizabeth Ann Macgregor says the taskforce is an opportunity to reset the frustrated relationship between the arts sector and government.

The arts sector has failed to articulate effectively its case for government investment but a high-powered advisory panel will be a “conduit” for greater co-operation, says Elizabeth Ann Macgregor, the new chairwoman of the federal government’s creative economy taskforce.

The director of Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Art, Ms Macgregor said the 12-member group would help guide the government’s assistance to the arts sector as it emerged from the lockdown.

She said there was often “frustration” between the arts sector and government, and the taskforce was an opportunity to reset the relationship.

“For whatever reason, we have failed to make our case (for investment) strongly enough, and in the most appropriate way,” Ms Macgregor said.

“I find it a bit frustrating, which is why I welcome new initiatives for how we can do that better.”

Arts Minister Paul Fletcher on Friday announced the members of taskforce that will help implement the government’s $250m grants and loans lifeline for the cultural sector, which has been hit hard by the pandemic.

Other members include Queensland Ballet artistic director Li Cunxin; Dan Rosen, chief executive of music industry body ARIA; film producer Alison Page; and soprano and broadcaster Greta Bradman. The deputy chairman is John Barrington, company director and a former chairman of the Perth Festival.

Mr Fletcher said the taskforce was convened to offer strategic advice to government and to have a “distinctive perspective”, and was not in opposition to the Australia Council, the government’s arts funding and advisory body.

The group includes Australia Council chief executive Adrian Collette.

The taskforce includes members whose organisations will possibly be applicants for the government grants, including Ms Macgregor’s MCA.

Mr Fletcher said members of the panel, drawn from different regions and parts of the cultural sector, would not be involved in assessing individual grants. As minister, he has final approval.

“We want them to apply for funding,” he said of the taskforce members. “We will have processes to manage that conflict: people will be asked to declare conflict, they won’t participate in discussions or deliberations on their own applications.”

Some industry figures have expressed frustration at the delay in funds being available from the $250m assistance package announced in June. Applications open at the end of the month.

Mr Fletcher said some grants would be made before the end of the year but he did not commit to a date.

“We need the money to get out there to have the necessary impact,” he said. “We will be moving as quickly as we can. We are conscious that there are productions that will not be able to happen unless this support is available.”

He acknowledged the difficulties the arts sector was facing during the pandemic but said there were signs of optimism.

Macgregor said the taskforce was not intended to “rubberstamp” government policy and she expected robust discussion.

“We are not representative of the whole of the sector but people can approach us and we can put their viewpoints up there.”