Build it and they will come - a look at Perth's arts infrastructure
FACT: performing arts attendance in Perth is rising and contrary to national and international trends, this growth is occurring across a wide range of performing arts disciplines and organisations.
FACT: Perth generally compares favourably with other cities on number of venues and seating per capita, indicating that Perth has an active and vibrant performing arts sector.
FACT: the current performing arts infrastructure available is already constraining audience numbers and is going to be tested further as our population grows.
The performing arts scene in Perth actively reinforces the notion build it and they will come as demonstrated by the success of landmark venues and events introduced in the last two years such as the Perth Arena, the WA State Theatre and Fringe World.
But what does this mean for the future and is our infrastructure going to be able to keep up with demand?
You are invited to join the Hon. John Day MLA, Minister for Culture and the Arts and guest speaker Alec Coles OBE, CEO of the WA Museum, as the Committee for Perth releases our latest research report: Examining Perth's Performing Arts Infrastructure.
This event promises to be eye opening and surprising as it explores how well Perth is faring in its performing arts infrastructure as well as offering a behind the scenes look into the plans for the new WA Museum.
Meet our speakers and panellists
Alec Coles
CEO of the Western Australian Museum
Alec Coles has been CEO of the Western Australian museum for three years. He has been instrumental in opening up the museum to new audiences through exhibitions like A Day in Pompeii, Unveiled and now Secrets of the Afterlife.
He has also led the case for the development of a new state museum – a case that the Barnett Government threw its weight behind in the last budget with a commitment to build the $428 million museum in the Perth Cultural Centre.
But Coles believes that a new museum is more than just about a building – it is also about a new way of working. The Museum should, of course, be a wonderful educational resource, a world-class visitor attraction and a cutting-edge research institution – but it should be much more than this as well: a museum at the heart of its community: a place to explore and share identity; a gateway to WA’s unique landscape and environment; a confident statement about WA’s place in the World.
The Museum can play its part in redefining our city and our state, in contributing to our economic wealth and in promoting social and mental health and well-being. It can be a meeting place for people and ideas, a signature and unmistakeable building that becomes instantly recognisable and a destination for cultural tourists.