BRINGING the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre further into the digital era and greater financial investment in the arts should be State Government focuses, according to the South East arts fraternity.
Those ideas were among many floated by the community at a public consultation session held in Mount Gambier this week to help shape South Australia’s proposed arts strategy.
Country Arts SA creative programs manager Merilyn de Nys said the meeting gave individuals the opportunity to have their voice heard.
Ms de Nys said a strong issue highlighted by the community was the need to modernise Mount Gambier’s suitable art spaces.
“Mount Gambier’s art spaces were highlighted with a need for necessary upgrades of current institutions,” she said.
Ms de Nys said Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre was a common thread in needing to be “brought up with the times”.
“There needs to be money invested to bring it up to speed,” she said.
South East creative Anya McKee said with the recent success of Fringe Mount Gambier, the consultation fell at a great time.
“Festivals like Fringe are a great economical boost for regional areas,” she said.
“We discussed how we could change the time frame from being such a short spurt to carrying it on so everyone is being continually engaged throughout the year.
“It is about allowing artists to not have to travel to metro areas to scratch their itch.”
Ms McKee said art provided the chance to grow connections and collaborate with all pockets of the community, including the culturally rich Indigenous population.
“When welcoming the stories of First Nations the first thing we need to do is admit we do not know their story,” she said.
“A lot of it is just about becoming comfortable and being brave with our ignorance.
“With that becomes and opening for these stories to eventually happen before the point where they have to speak out.”
Ms McKee said collaborations with sectors including disability, aged care, wellbeing and education formed naturally within the arts.
“Perhaps the arts has more contribution to society than what is currently being recognised by the general public,” she said.
Ms de Nys said the lack of financial incentive for art as an industry pathway was another common thread among Monday night’s discussion.
“Artists on the night definitely expressed their lack of financial support and all had a clear vision they need to be paid more,” she said.
“Artists love what they are doing but people are starting to understand we should no longer take advantage of them.
“We can not expect them to contribute to society for nothing.”
The contrast between artists within regional and metropolitan areas is too wide spread, according to Ms de Nys.
Ms McKee said there was still a lot of confusion around artistic career pathways, but said opportunities arose through art “networks”.
“We have a lot of amazing artists here in Mount Gambier and it is about combining forces,” she said.
“Art brings people to together.
“I really loved Merilyn’s point about knocking down the colonial borders and branching out to create relationships with our neighbouring states.”
Ms de Nys also floated the idea of the arts being added into the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) model, calling for “full STEAM ahead” when it came to embracing the importance of culture.
“We all have a voice,” she said.
“Everyone from community members to the government needs to be involve.
“It is about finding our voice and using it.”
The public is invited to have their say through the online arts plan survey available on the Arts South Australia website.
