Digital technologies are having an increasing impact on the arts sector, and will only continue to do so as we progress deeper into the digital age. A variety of digital platforms provide audiences with creative experiences, ever widening the scope of artistic possibility. Due to the Australian Government’s upcoming National Broadband Network, most people will have access to data-rich content, enhancing the experience of creative technologies such as games, social networking, and movies in the next few years. This will not only enhance the experience of online culture, but also the demand for digital arts.
The 2011 Federal Budget detailed an arts package, with $56 million of assistance going towards the screen industry. This is evidence of the demand for services in the arts and digital-based business sector. The budget’s arts handout will provide direct funding of $11 million to small-budget documentary makers, benefit visual and digital effects companies by attracting more Hollywood post-production work to Australia, and make it easier for feature film, TV, and online productions to qualify for production offsets paid via the taxation system.
It is expected that new producers and those with an experimental or innovative approach will find encouragement in the producer offset. Feature films, TV and online productions with a budget of as little as $500,000 are now eligible for the producer offset, reduced from $1 million. These increases in funding and tax rebate reforms encourage a diversity of films produced in Australia, while supporting a sustainable film industry that largely consists of multiple small production companies.
The budget delivered on the government’s 2010 election promise for $10 million over five years for the Australia Council to fund new projects for young artists. This funding will support up to 150 additional artistic works, presentations and fellowships through the New Support for the Arts program, according to Arts Minister Simon Crean. $400,000 has also been put towards the Contemporary Music Touring Program, enabling popular mid-level contemporary musical artists to tour regional areas.
Other arts-based funding includes the Coalition’s $24 million package for the Victorian College of the Arts. This includes scholarships for outstanding students, support for disadvantaged students, a national music theatre and cabaret program, and more specialised projects, including puppetry and digital media. This support for the arts at a tertiary level will enable more traditional, performative and digital artists to walk a successful path. Proof of higher education contributing to success in arts-based business can be seen in ArtDECL residents, Pub Games. They studied at Swinburne University, and moved directly from tertiary studies to business; from campus to the arts-based incubator. Within a year of working at ArtDECL, they secured a large contract that has established them in the games industry.
The global financial crisis affected many industries. The retail sector took a fall due to rising cost pressures, but also due to the growth of online consumerism. The demise of REDGroup Retail, owner of Borders and Angus & Robertson, has proven that the internet is affecting the success of retailers, taking away much-needed business from shops and shopping centres. The economic downturn as well as online shopping has prompted people to look towards the digital realm for business. Huge creative growth areas now include digital publishing, electronic music and digital distribution, online art galleries, multimedia design, web development and design, and game development (including the indie game development, which has grown with online distribution systems and the mobile game market). For people who have developed a creative or digital arts small business, an Arts Incubator offers the studio space and business services needed to get it off the ground.
The Darebin Creative and Digital Arts Incubator provides studio space and business support to designers and artists including animators, digital photographers, graphic designers, web and games developers, digital music composers and producers of video and interactive media. The shared creative space gives residents the opportunity to share ideas and collaborate with fellow artists. The office space is affordable and offers business owners set studio space to increase productivity. The Darebin Enterprise Centre also understands that in this digital age, creating a net presence is important. DECL manages and delivers the Building Northern Melbourne’s E-Business Capacity project: an Australian Government funded initiative under the Small Businesses Online program. It is not essential to be a part of this program to attend the weekly meetings, finishing up at the end of June 2011. Visit www.buildebusiness.com.au for more information.
