Jobs Melbourne: budget brings good news for art

The latest Victorian State Budget will impact jobs Melbourne, particularly in the arts sector. Here we summarise developments.

The Budget
Jobs Melbourne have been boosted by the recent budget. Victorian Premier, Ted Baillieu stated that arts and creativity were vital to the state's identity; this was reflected in the government’s generous $73 million commitment to the sector.

Funding
Amongst the many areas to benefit from a cash injection are the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Circus Oz, and Victorian College of the Arts (VCA). Over the next four years, the Melbourne Comedy Festival will get $4.2 million worth of funds. The Victorian College of the Arts will receive $24 million and the Circus will get $15 million, enabling it to relocate to new premises in Collingwood.

Premier Baillieu mentioned the art college’s potential as a centre of excellence, that would continue to attract the brightest talent to Melbourne. “This funding will ensure the VCA can provide the best possible training for our artists and creative professionals – sculptors, sound engineers, dancers, directors and many more – for years to come”.

With the incentive of more free programming, the Comedy Festival will be out to attract more big name acts.

Other beneficiaries

• $5.6 million for the State Library of Victoria
• $2 million for the Melbourne Recital Centre, and $400,000 to stage International Chamber Music finals
• $1.8 million for the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra to continue during the development of Hamer Hall
• $500,000 to develop a blueprint for the Arts Precinct at Southbank.