Creative State 2020+

Creative State 2020+

EDIT: Submissions have been extended until 5pm September 13th
Creative State 2020+ submissions close on Friday August 30th 2019. We take a look at what Creative State is, how it will impact us and why you might like to make a submission.

 

What is Creative State

"Launched in April 2016, Creative State 2016-20 was the Victorian Government’s first ever creative industries strategy. It aimed to strengthen and grow the state’s creative industries and the economic, social and cultural value they bring, for the benefit of all Victorians.

Developed through extensive sector consultation, Creative State delivered 40 targeted actions, and was backed with new funding of $115 million. It focused on:

  • Backing Victorian creative talent;
  • Strengthening the creative industries ecosystem;
  • Delivering wider economic and social impact;
  • Increasing participation and access, and
  • Building international engagement."¹

"Building on the foundations laid by the Victorian Government’s first Creative State strategy, we are seeking views from across Victoria’s creative and cultural sectors and beyond to inform our next four-year creative industries strategy, covering 2020-2024."²

 

Melbourne - Music Capital

The Live Music Census (2017) points out Melbourne is more engaged with live music than sport.

  • Around 3.75 times more people attend live music events compared to AFL on an annual basis
  • 4.66million AFL vs 17.5million Live Music
  • 6.84million attend major sporting events - vs 17.5million attending live music event, more than 2 1/2 times more people
  • $1.42 billion spent in small venues and at concerts and festivals³ (in 2017)

A recent report on Melbourne as a cultural destination identified cultural activities as 2nd priority for domestic visitors and 3rd priority for international visitors (after ‘visiting friends’), as the major reason for visiting Melbourne. Ahead of sport in both instances.³

You can view the full Live Music Census here.

 

Creative State and Jazz

In the 2017 Census, it shows an approx 10% increase in audiences attending jazz concerts since 2012 - at the same time there has been an overall increase in jazz venues in Melbourne.

Jazz trained musicians permeate across the music sector - including: The Cat Empire, Hiatus Kaiyote, Laneous, Kate Ceberano, Megan Washington, Playschool, Justine Clarke, Ian Moss, Gotye, The Others -made up of James Morrison, Paul Grabowsky and Kram from Spiderbait. A number of jazz trained session musicians also perform in musical pits and in bands for touring arena shows.

Contemporary music educational institutions and organisations are often taught by jazz musicians.

Yet with such a large influence Jazz isn't mentioned in the current Creative State strategy or even included as part of Contemporary Music. We would like to see this change.

 

Why is Creative State important?

The Creative State strategy is an outline of priorities for the next 4 years which guides the distribution of funding. Even if you haven't directly received funds through grants it is likely that you have benefited from Government investment. Many festivals rely on some government funding to operate. Arts bodies and co-ops often receive funding through grants to put on shows. Large installations and events may also have received some government funding.  In all likelihood at some point a show you've performed in was made possible because of these funding arrangements.


We would like to see the importance of jazz and its integral role within the Victorian music sector recognised and have access to the same resources and support for developing jazz as part of the contemporary music industry.

 

What Can I do

Make a submission!

  1. Post a quick idea, insight or provocation the online ideas wall - 140 characters

  2. Make a longer written submission addressing some of the jazz talking point in this document. Victoria’s next creative industries strategy is underpinned by four guiding principles: First Peoples first, Whole of state, Whole of ecosystem, All voices welcome. You can discuss how jazz relates and incorporates these.


  3. Writing not your thing? make a video submission (max 3min)

All submissions can be made online here.

The deadline for submissions is 5pm, Friday 13th September 2019

 

Other Resources

For further background info from the jazz perspective - please contact Adam Simmons - adam(at)tuoa.com.au
For the recently commissioned report - “Victoria’s Jazz Industry Strategic Action Plan"
An open submission to creative state here

 

Sources
¹https://engage.vic.gov.au/creative-strategy/creative-state-story-so-far
²https://engage.vic.gov.au/creative-strategy
³https://www.musicvictoria.com.au/assets/2018/MLMC-2017-Report-compressed.pdf