Heidi Victoria
‘Political Porch Thoughts’
No matter which side of state politics you support, collectively, in one way or another, we are all supporters of our Arts culture throughout Victoria.
Whether we attend major events and festivals as spectators, perform on a stage, write show reviews, are employed within the industry, undertake formal arts studies, play host to our interstate or overseas visitors by attending a live show or exhibition, Victoria’s arts culture plays a continual starring role in our lives.
In the lead-up to this week’s Parliamentary sitting, from her political Porch in Melbourne, I caught up with the Victorian Minister for the Arts, Hon Heidi Victoria MLA to gain a greater insight into her leadership role in Victoria’s arts sector and to find out what programs and events our government are proud to be showcasing in 2014.
Whilst managing the Arts Portfolio, Heidi is additionally our state Minister for Consumer Affairs and Minister for Women’s Affairs. In March, Heidi will have been our Arts Minister for twelve months and welcomed a short break on her Porch ahead of her long night in Parliament House.
For anyone of who doesn’t know, what is the role of the Minister for the Arts for the state government?
It’s so many things! At the core, it’s about providing leadership, being the State Government’s advocate and a champion for the arts sector.
I firmly believe that creativity, art and culture are vital to this state. One of the most important roles of the Arts Minister is to represent the arts sector at Cabinet level, and ensure that arts and culture are firmly on the agenda when key decisions about our state are made.
How important are the arts and culture to Victoria’s way of life in both Melbourne and regional Victoria?
Arts and culture are a part of every facet of life in Victoria. Arts and creativity contribute to our livability, help to strengthen connections within the community, to build our national and international reputation and strengthen our economy.
The arts sector contributes $11.4 billion for the state economy each year and contributes up to 110,000 jobs throughout Victoria. What art forms do the Government support to ensure everyone is catered for?
Yes, the arts make an important contribution to the strength of the Victorian economy. We are a cultural destination for interstate and international visitors. Government funding supports a mix of art forms, a mix of locations and a mix of voices. We want to ensure that no matter, your age, life experience or background, the Victorian arts sector offers something for everyone.
With major events and festivals in Melbourne and regional Victoria such as White Night Melbourne that was launched last year, what is the general process of bringing such a massive event to fruition from an application stage to filling the streets?
White Night Melbourne was an election commitment. The Government commissioned the Victorian Major Events Company to deliver the event. They engaged an incredible creative team which had experience managing events as diverse as the opening and closing ceremonies of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games and the City of Melbourne’s New Year’s Eve celebrations…and it has grown from there. We were thrilled at how the first event was embraced by the community, with more than 300,000 people of all ages filling the streets, and are excited to see how the larger program on Saturday February 22 is received.
What can we expect to see at this year’s event?
This year the event will be even bigger, stretching for eight city blocks, compared to two last year. Our streets will become pedestrian thoroughfares, large scale projections will animate and light up the city, and, with a mix of free and ticketed events, there will be plenty for all ages to explore, enjoy and participate in. I for one will be there, of course.
How do you collaborate on a national level with other State Ministers to ensure events are adequately cross-promoted?
As arts and culture are such a key part of life in this state, Arts Victoria collaborates with several other Government departments, including Tourism, Major Events, Education, Health, Justice and State Development on many arts-based projects and programs. Tourism Victoria has great reach across the country and plays a major role in ensuring that Victorian events are promoted to audiences outside the state, and internationally. At a national level, I’m a part of the Cultural Minister’s Council, which brings together arts Ministers from across Australia and New Zealand to collaborate and find ways to develop the arts at a national level.
How is Victoria’s arts culture perceived on a global scale?
Our reputation precedes us. Our arts and cultural sector attracts more than one million international tourists each year and this represents an incredible sixty per cent of all international tourists to our state!
What impact do our arts’ culture and artists have overseas?
Victorian artists and arts organisations are also in high demand overseas. Right now, the Melbourne Theatre Company is preparing to tour its home-grown production Rupert to Washington DC, Geelong’s Back to Back Theatre is preparing to take Ganesh Versus the Third Reich to Athens in April. Melbourne band Big Scary is heading off on a tour of the USA which will include showcase performances at the prestigious South by Southwest Festival, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival takes its road show to India, Hong Kong and Singapore.
How do you collaborate with major councils, the media and arts institutions such as the Victorian College of the Arts?
We recognise that the Government has a key role to play in supporting the arts sector, but we are only part of the story. Partnerships with other levels of government, the corporate sector and philanthropists, as well as the creativity and entrepreneurialism of our artists and arts organisations, are essential for the sector to grow and develop.
What major arts programs are you looking forward to opening in Victoria this year?
Of course there are a lot of programs and events to announce this year and I’m looking forward to opening the new circus centre in Collingwood that will provide a new home for Circus Oz. It’s an incredible building that will allow the troupe to rehearse under ‘big top’ conditions. It will also provide more space for classes and community programs, so even more people will be able to run away and join the circus.
Is there an arts program or event that you believe is important to Victoria that perhaps doesn’t have the recognition behind it that you would like to see provided with community support?
Victorian arts audiences aren’t only passionate, they are plentiful. One thing that I’d encourage people to be on the lookout for later this year is the range of arts events and activities that will be on offer to mark the ANZAC Centenary.
From community museums to our major arts institutions, festivals and performances, I encourage you all to keep your eyes peeled as we commemorate this important moment in our history.
What is your Porch Thought for the day?
“It's easier to wear slippers than to carpet the world.”