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Outcome 1
RESOURCES FOR OUTCOME
|
(1) Budget |
(2) Actual |
Variation |
Budget | |
|
Administered expenses |
147 504 |
138 854 |
(8 650) |
137 213 |
|
Total administered expenses |
147 504 |
138 854 |
(8 650) |
137 213 |
|
Price of departmental outputs3 | ||||
|
Output 1.1 Policy advice, program management and agency support which promotes access to and excellence in Australia's cultural activities and preservation and development of our cultural collections |
26 328 |
26 323 |
(5) |
22 121 |
|
Output 1.2 Preservation of and access to Old Parliament House, the National Portrait Gallery, ScreenSound Australia and their respective collections |
38 565 |
38 846 |
281 |
15 813 |
|
Revenue from Government (Appropriation) for departmental outputs |
58 461 |
58 682 |
221 |
32 450 |
|
Revenue from other sources |
6 432 |
6 487 |
55 |
5 484 |
|
Total price of outputs |
64 893 |
65 169 |
276 |
37 934 |
|
TOTAL FOR OUTCOME 1 |
212 397 |
204 023 |
(8 374) |
175 147 |
|
2003-04 |
2004-05 | |||
|
Average staffing level |
228 |
226 | ||
1 Budget estimates as at 2003-04 Portfolio Supplementary Additional Estimates Statements (PSAES).
2 Budget estimates as at 2004-05 Portfolio Budget Statements (PBS).
3 Questacon transferred from the Department to the Education, Science and Training Portfolio from 1 July 2003.
Output 1.3 (as reported in the 2003-04 PBS) is therefore no longer the Department's output.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION INDEX
|
Annual report page reference |
PBS page reference | |
|
Outcome 1 Development of a rich and stimulating cultural |
24 |
45 |
|
Administered items | ||
|
Touring programs |
27 |
45 11(PSAES) |
|
Arts training organisations |
28 |
45 |
|
Commonwealth and public companies |
29 |
45 |
|
Cultural Ministers Council and related initiatives |
30 |
46 |
|
Return of Indigenous cultural property |
31 |
46 |
|
Books Alive - Book Industry Assistance Plan |
31 |
46 |
|
Educational Lending Right and Public Lending Right Scheme - Book Industry Assistance Plan |
31 |
46 |
|
Output 1.1 Policy advice, program management and agency support which promotes access to and excellence in Australia's cultural activities and preservation and development of our cultural collections |
33 |
46 |
|
Output 1.2 Preservation of and access to Old Parliament House, the National Portrait Gallery and their respective collections |
48 |
48 |
Achievement of outcome
Development of a rich and stimulating cultural sector for all Australians
The Australian Government provides about one-third of total government financial support for the cultural sector. Of the Australian Government funding provided through the arts portfolio, approximately 90 per cent is provided directly, or through the Department to various statutory authorities and companies which form part of the Portfolio4.
The Department's contribution to Outcome 1 is primarily through three activities. These are the provision of strategic advice to the Government on policy issues across the cultural sector, support for the national cultural institutions in the achievement of the Government's cultural objectives, and administration of a range of programs aimed at enhancing community access to quality cultural experiences.
In 2003-04, the Department placed an increased emphasis on working more closely with other departments to ensure that the Government's cultural objectives were also achieved through the development of broader initiatives, such as the Indigenous Arts Centres Strategy and Action Plan. A number of new initiatives during the year involved joint responses with state and territory governments working through the Cultural Ministers Council (CMC). Examples include the response to the report of the Contemporary Visual Arts and Craft Inquiry (the Myer Report) and the establishment of the Collections Council of Australia. While such initiatives require more time and resources to negotiate, they offer more effective and integrated support to the cultural sector.
The Department operates in a strategic cultural environment characterised by a number of imperatives. The major issues to be addressed arise from the continuing need to provide access to the arts for a broad range of Australians, increasing competition for private sector support, and a continuing emphasis on the sustainability of key cultural sectors in a high-risk environment.
4 This estimate does not include funding for broadcasting through the portfolio.
Access and excellence in Australia's cultural activities and preservation and development of our collections
Enhancing the sustainability of key cultural industry sectors has been a challenge for the Department throughout 2003-04, and will continue to be a significant issue in the coming year, with the outcomes of the Review of Pit and Symphony Orchestras expected in early 2005.
The sustainability of Australia's Visual Arts and Crafts sector was strengthened as a result of two initiatives.
Funding of $39 million over four years was provided to the sector as part of a joint Australian, state and territory government response to the Myer Report. The negotiation of the Visual Arts and Craft Strategy has seen the development of joint funding packages in each state and territory. Work on the implementation of the non-funding recommendations, including an analysis of the issues surrounding the possible introduction of a Resale Royalty Scheme for artists, will be among the priorities and challenges for 2004-05, as will the establishment of a Melbourne office for Artbank.
The Department played a lead role in negotiations to support the visual arts and crafts, working both within the Australian Government and with state and territory governments to deliver collaborative whole-of-government strategies focused on improved outcomes.
A major Government strategy to support the Indigenous arts sector was announced in September 2003. The Indigenous Arts Centres Strategy and Action Plan is a coordinated government approach consisting of targeted interventions delivered through a range of Government agencies, including the Departments of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) and Transport and Regional Services (DOTARS), and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and the Australia Council for the Arts (Australia Council). The objective of the Strategy and Action Plan is to build a strong and sustainable Indigenous visual arts sector, characterised by a stable and profitable base of Indigenous art centres producing and distributing works of artistic excellence.
The transfer of Indigenous arts programs from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Services (ATSIS) to this portfolio on 1 July 2004 will increase the scope for working across government to deliver results against the Strategy and Action Plan.
The establishment of the Collections Council of Australia is a key outcome of an industry reform process undertaken in 2003-04. The Collections Council will provide strategic leadership for the sector, focusing in particular on the needs of regional collections. The Department played an important leadership role in this initiative, including through its participation in the Standing Committee of the CMC, and in progressing joint industry development initiatives.
The Department has continued to support portfolio agencies in the implementation of the outcomes of the Review of Cultural Agencies. This collaborative work resulted in Budget funding of $9.9 million for the development of a new storage facility for the National Library of Australia. Ensuring a consistent approach to collection depreciation across the national collecting institutions will be a significant challenge in 2004-05.
In negotiations undertaken as part of the development of an Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA), Australia has retained capacity to support the cultural sector and to regulate audiovisual media to meet Australia's cultural policy objectives, now and into the future.
The Department worked closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and relevant portfolio cultural agencies, including the Australia Council and the Australian Film Commission (AFC), on strategic issues associated with the agreement, and played an active role in negotiations.
The Department has continued to support the sustainability of Australia's elite arts training organisations through the establishment of the Australian Roundtable for Arts Training Excellence and effective administration of grants to these organisations. Triennial funding for the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) has resulted in greater certainty for NIDA in its financial and business planning. An external review has resulted in improved management arrangements and training outcomes for the National Aboriginal and Islander Skills Development Association (NAISDA).
The Department's cultural touring programs continued to support access to quality cultural experiences, particularly in regional and remote areas. A departmental review of the Regional Arts Fund (RAF) in the 2004-05 Budget context highlighted the community benefits delivered by the program. In the 2004-05 Budget, the Government extended the RAF and provided additional funding for Playing Australia for four years.
Access to Australian arts and culture was also provided through enhancements to the Department's Culture and Recreation Portal, the redevelopment of Australian Museums and Galleries Online (AMOL), and an online gallery to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Cultural Gifts Program.
Preservation of and access to Old Parliament House, the National Portrait Gallery and their respective collections
Opportunities for visitors to access Old Parliament House (OPH) continued to expand during the year with the restoration and opening of rooms representing the major political parties, and the restoration of the former Private Members' Dining Rooms, which have been opened as a quality restaurant and conference centre.
OPH and the National Portrait Gallery (NPG) sought to extend their audience reach during the year, through new exhibitions and programs, website access and the NPG's travelling exhibitions.
Both the NPG and OPH collections continued to grow as a result of commissions, purchases and donations.
For the second successive year, OPH and the NPG won the National Tourism Award category of 'Heritage and Cultural Tourism'.
Maintaining the visitor base for OPH will be a key challenge in 2004-05 with the continuation of a five-year program of capital works for the conservation and restoration of the building. In the longer term, the works to the building are expected to improve access and enhance the visitor experience.
Administered itemsTouring programs
Impact of funding
National touring programs improve access to cultural activities, particularly in regional and remote areas.
During 2003-04, funding of more than $6.750 million was approved by the Minister for the Arts and Sport for 167 cultural projects supported through the Playing Australia, Visions of Australia, Festivals Australia, Contemporary Music Touring, and Big Screen programs.
Examples of funded projects included:
- Circus Australia, which received $207 053 to tour Circus Oz to six regional towns in South Australia, as well as Darwin and Alice Springs;
- the Broome Arts and Music Festival which received $15 000 for a multimedia production based on the history of Broome;
- the Western Australian band, Little Birdy, which received $10 000 to tour to New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania; and
- the Pitjantjatjara Council in South Australia, which received $86 568 to tour an exhibition of digital archival material, Ara Irititja, to regional and remote venues, including Alice Springs Public Library, Roxby Downs Regional Gallery and Camp Coorong Recreation Centre in South Australia.
More than 90 per cent of performing arts, festivals and contemporary music grant recipients surveyed during 2003-04 considered the programs were critical for building organisational capability, assisting skills transfer, developing artistic careers and contributing to future sustainability. The 2003-04 acquittals ranked Visions of Australia's role in building organisational capability as 'good' (64 per cent) or 'outstanding' (36 per cent).
The number of locations and types of tours funded across regions in 2003-04 demonstrates the national funding impact of the major touring programs.
The Government provided an additional $2 million per year over four years to Playing Australia in the 2004-05 Budget, increasing the funds that will be available in 2004-05 to around $5.8 million.
Since 2001, more than 70 000 people have attended 54 Big Screen film festival events across regional Australia. Average attendance per event increased from 1209 in 2002 to 1465 in 2003.
Table 2.1 Number of metropolitan (M) and regional (R) locations visited by touring exhibitions and productions, 2003-04|
Program |
ACT |
NSW |
VIC |
SA |
QLD |
NT |
WA |
TAS | ||||||||
|
M |
R |
M |
R |
M |
R |
M |
R |
M |
R |
M |
R |
M |
R |
M |
R | |
|
Playing Australia |
16 |
0 |
29 |
129 |
30 |
109 |
13 |
41 |
10 |
139 |
19 |
25 |
17 |
62 |
9 |
43 |
|
Visions of Australia |
5 |
0 |
19 |
57 |
18 |
30 |
12 |
12 |
6 |
25 |
5 |
8 |
7 |
10 |
7 |
0 |
|
Contemporary Music |
18 |
0 |
57 |
199 |
44 |
51 |
30 |
11 |
26 |
45 |
3 |
11 |
11 |
62 |
2 |
2 |
Arts training organisations
Efficient and timely administration of funding agreement
Seven national performing arts training organisations received funding totalling $18.4 million in 2003-04, a significant increase on funding of $11.9 million provided in 2002-03. Organisations funded in 2003-04 were:
- the Australian Ballet School (ABS);
- Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM);
- Australian Youth Orchestra (AYO);
- Flying Fruit Fly Circus (FFFC);
- National Aboriginal and Islander Skills Development Association (NAISDA);
- National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA); and
- National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA).
The training organisations achieved results consistent with the terms of their funding agreements:
- 1026 students were enrolled in the training organisations during 2003, a four per cent increase over the previous year;
- there were 121 graduates of the training organisations in 2003 compared with 95 in 2002. NICA had graduates for the first time in 20035; and
- the training organisations received 3591 applications for placement, compared with 4007 in 2002. In 2002 there was a large one-off increase in the applications to NIDA's acting course following the national screening of the documentary series, Drama School. However, there were 741 successful applicants overall, representing an increase of 18 per cent over the previous year.
In 2003-04 all institutions met funding agreement performance indicators and payments were acquitted within specified timeframes. All institutions expressed satisfaction with the assistance provided by the Department as recorded in the Department's client survey.
An independent review of Indigenous dance training was completed by the Department in March 2004. The report's recommendations will inform the 2004-05 funding agreement with NAISDA.
In 2003-04, $6 million was provided to NICA for the construction of a new training and performance venue. The venue will improve performance and training opportunities for NICA's students, commensurate with the organisation's growing international reputation.
5 These figures exclude the AYO and the ANAM as they are program-based organisations.
 |
Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator Rod Kemp at the launch of the new AbaF initiative, adviceBank - a free advisory service for arts organisations. Photograph: Courtesy of Australia Business Arts Foundation. |
Commonwealth and public companies: Film Australia Limited, Film Finance Corporation Australia, Australian Children's Television Foundation, Australia Business Arts Foundation
Efficient and timely administration of funding agreements
The Department administers grants to a small number of companies operating in the cultural sector. The funding allocated to these companies over the last three years is set out below.
In 2003-04, all institutions met required performance indicators and payments were acquitted within specified timeframes.
Table 2.2 Funding allocated to Commonwealth and public companies|
Institution |
2001-02 |
2002-03 |
2003-04 |
|
Film Finance Corporation |
50.000 |
57.500 |
60.500 |
|
Film Australia Limited |
4.910 |
9.809 |
9.993 |
|
Australian Children's Television Foundation |
2.396 |
2.434 |
2.472 |
|
AusFILM |
- |
1.000 |
1.023 |
|
Bundanon Trust* |
- |
- |
0.150 |
|
Australia Business Arts Foundation |
1.600 |
1.600 |
1.665 |
Results consistent with the companies' funding agreements included:
- Film Australia (FAL) delivered 19 National Interest Program titles in 2003-04, consistent with its obligation to produce 100 programs under the five-year contract with the Department;
- production funding was approved by the Australian Children's Television Foundation for the production of Hating Alison Ashley;
- participation in Bundanon Trust's access and education programs increased by 28 per cent compared with 2002-03; and
- Australia Business Arts Foundation (AbaF) recorded increased levels of participation in many of its programs including increased partnerships between business and the arts, skills development and business skills volunteering programs.
During the year, the Department worked with the companies on the development of their respective 2003-04 corporate plans for the Minister's approval. The Department also assisted with Board appointments and in reviewing the companies' annual reports.
The Department provided advice to the smaller companies, FAL, Bundanon Trust and AbaF, on their applications for funding to assist with the implementation of the recommendations from the Budget Estimates and Framework Review (BEFR). These companies received supplementation in the 2003-04 Additional Estimates process for this purpose.
Following the 2003-04 Budget decision to provide $2.3 million over four years to the Bundanon Trust, a funding agreement between the Department on behalf of the Government and the Trust was finalised during the year. In administering the agreement, the Department provided advice on key governance requirements, including preparation of a corporate plan, financial reports, and conservation and marketing plans.
Cultural Ministers Council (CMC) and related initiatives: Cultural Ministers Council, Australian Museums and Galleries Online (AMOL) website, and National Collections Advisory Forum
Key initiatives undertaken
The 17th meeting of the CMC was held in Perth on 19 February 2004. The Department provided the Secretariat to CMC.
Cultural Ministers endorsed the work of the National Collections Advisory Forum and agreed to establish a national industry body, the Collections Council of Australia. The Forum's achievements included the National Collections Strategy, production of training materials and the Regional Hubs research project to strengthen regional outreach. The Department provided secretariat support to the Forum.
The Department's secretariat support and financial contribution to the Statistics Working Group (SWG) assisted in the ongoing production of core cultural statistics required for monitoring developments in the cultural sector. In 2003-04 SWG released the reports Cultural Funding in Australia - Three Tiers of Government, 2001-02 and Economic Impact of Cultural Tourists in Australia.
The Department continued to administer the contract for delivery of the AMOL website in 2003-04, as a resource for the museums and galleries sector. Use of AMOL as an online resource achieved record levels, averaging 2894 daily user sessions in June 2004, a 12 per cent increase on June 2003.
Return of Indigenous cultural property
Return of Indigenous remains and objects
The Department manages the Return of Indigenous Cultural Property program for the Cultural Ministers Council. The program was established to operate over five years ending in 2005-06.
Participating museums have advised that all relevant communities have been informed of their holdings. Since the program commenced in 2000, approximately 900 remains and objects have been returned to Indigenous communities. A further 800 remains and objects have been retained at the request of Indigenous owners, as they may not have appropriate storage facilities.
Books Alive - Book Industry Assistance Plan
Key initiatives undertaken
Books Alive is a component of the four-year Book Industry Assistance Plan (BIAP) funded by the Government from 2000-01 to 2003-04. The Department has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Australia Council, which administers Books Alive.
The effectiveness of the 2003 campaign was recognised by the Australasian Promotion Marketing Association (APMA) gold award. An ACNielsen evaluation found that the main message had been understood by a significant proportion of people who were aware of the campaign, and that there was an increased likelihood that they would buy a book or visit a bookshop. The national tours of authors, who appeared at libraries, bookshops and shopping centres in all states and territories, were well received as part of the 2003 campaign. The 2004 campaign, launched in February 2004, had an increased focus on both the enjoyment of reading and on literacy.
The Books Alive program and 2003 campaign were reviewed in October 2003 and found to be effective in meeting the Government's objectives.
Educational Lending Right and Public Lending Right Scheme - Book Industry Assistance Plan
Increased number of books in public and educational libraries
The Educational Lending Right (ELR) and Public Lending Right (PLR) programs provide payments to eligible Australian creators (authors, editors, illustrators, translators and compilers) and publishers whose books are held in educational and public lending libraries. ELR is a component of BIAP.
Both ELR and PLR support the enrichment of Australian culture by encouraging the growth and development of Australian writing and publishing.
The number of titles registered with PLR that received a payment in 2003-04 was 22 139, while 30 397 titles were registered with ELR. Payments were calculated from the results of the annual sample surveys of books held in public lending libraries and educational lending libraries. The total number of PLR payments to creators and publishers has increased steadily. The volatility of the figures for new creators may reflect a changing trend in the use of royalty payments by publishers, as well as annual variations in the numbers of books published.
Table 2.3 Public Lending Right payments|
Number of payments made | ||||
|
New creators |
Creators |
Publishers |
Total payments | |
|
2001-02 |
346 |
8193 |
308 |
5.940 |
|
2002-03 |
429 |
8384 |
319 |
6.259 |
|
2003-04 |
403 |
8409 |
328 |
6.501 |
The number of new creators continued to grow in the early years of the ELR program, but decreased in 2003-04, as most of those eligible had already registered with the scheme.
An internal review of ELR in 2003-04 confirmed the program's effectiveness and efficiency. In the 2004-05 Budget the Government announced funding of $44 million over four years to continue ELR.
Table 2.4 Educational Lending Right payments|
Number of payments made | ||||
|
New creators |
Creators |
Publishers |
Total payments | |
|
2001-02 |
358 |
6642 |
249 |
8.370 |
|
2002-03 |
494 |
7311 |
283 |
9.300 |
|
2003-04 |
411 |
7981 |
304 |
10.230 |
OUTPUTS
Output 1.1 Policy advice, program management and agency support which promotes access to and excellence in Australia's cultural activities and preservation and development of our cultural collections
High quality program funding and grant administration
 |
Members of the National Programs Section, Collections and Governance Branch. Left to right: Heather Chandler, Maria Gravias and Tristan Ricketson |
Touring programs
Between 1994-95 and 2003-04, the national touring programs, Playing Australia, Visions of Australia, Festivals Australia and Contemporary Music Touring processed over 4100 funding applications.
The number of applications processed increased in the past three years with the commencement of the Contemporary Music Touring program and, in 2003-04, an additional assessment round for the Visions of Australia exhibition touring program. Applications to Playing Australia and Festivals Australia remained stable.
The majority of grants were fully acquitted within six months of completion and compliance with the provisions of the grant deeds was consistently high.
Graph 2.1 National touring programs - applications processed
Table 2.5 Grants acquitted
|
2002-03 |
2003-04 | |||||
|
Program |
Total number due |
Percentage of grants acquitted within: |
Total number due |
Percentage of grants acquitted within: | ||
|
3mths |
6mths |
3mths |
6mths* | |||
|
Playing Australia |
29 |
41 |
93 |
51 |
41 |
|
|
Visions of Australia |
28 |
53 |
89 |
29 |
45 |
|
|
Festivals Australia |
55 |
65 |
90 |
54 |
55 |
|
|
Contemporary Music |
- |
- |
- |
28 |
50 |
|
Film programs
The Government provides indirect support to filmmakers through a number of tax incentives programs administered by the Department.
In 2003-04, the Department received 214 provisional applications under Division 10BA of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936. Ninety per cent of applications were processed within three weeks of receipt. The Department also received 63 applications under Division 10B of the Act. Of those applications, 98.4 per cent had been processed by 30 June 2004.
There were fewer applications for the Refundable Film Tax Offset to the end of 2003-04 than anticipated when the scheme was introduced (six final applications compared with an estimate of ten). The variation in actual final applications was primarily a factor of timing. Before production companies can apply for certificates of eligibility for the offset, films must be ready for public exhibition. Consequently, applications relating to a number of large budget productions filmed in 2002-03 were not submitted until 2003-04. Similarly, the Department anticipates that applications relating to several films shot in 2003-04 will be submitted in 2004-05. The delay in submitting applications has proved difficult to estimate.
The guidelines for the offset state that applications will be processed within ten weeks of receipt. While the total number of applications processed increased from two to seven between 2002-03 and 2003-04, all applications were processed within the agreed timeframe.
In the 2004-05 Budget, the Government announced that the offset would be extended to television series.
Table 2.6 Divisions 10B and 10BA tax concessions and Refundable Film Tax Offset applications processed*|
1999-2000 |
2000-01 |
2001-02 |
2002-03 |
2003-04 | |
|
10BA provisional applications |
254 |
284 |
254 |
204 |
214 |
|
10BA final applications |
71 |
74 |
87 |
107 |
95 |
|
10B applications |
54 |
49 |
46 |
60 |
63 |
|
Offset provisional applications |
n/a |
n/a |
0 |
1 |
2 |
|
Offset final applications |
n/a |
n/a |
0 |
1 |
5 |
Regional Arts Fund (RAF)
The objectives of the RAF are to support sustainable cultural development in regional, remote and very remote communities across Australia, to develop partnerships and cultural networks, and to increase access to skills development and employment opportunities for regional artists.
Regional Arts Organisations (RAOs) in each state, and arts ministries in the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory, manage the RAF on behalf of the Department and make decisions about specific funding. RAOs and arts ministries are required to provide regular acquittal reports to the Department.
Table 2.7 2003-04 Regional Arts Fund allocations|
State/territory |
Amount $ |
|
Regional Arts New South Wales |
408 600 |
|
Regional Arts Victoria |
408 600 |
|
Country Arts Western Australia |
408 600 |
|
Queensland Arts Council |
408 600 |
|
Country Arts South Australia |
340 500 |
|
Tasmanian Regional Arts |
182 500 |
|
Arts NT |
226 100 |
|
Arts ACT |
46 500 |
|
Regional Arts Australia |
70 000 |
|
Australia Council |
100 000 |
|
Total |
2 600 000 |
Most of the RAF allocation to RAOs and arts ministries was expended on grants for arts projects in regional and remote communities. The remaining RAF allocation was divided between strategic projects which apply to a region, small grants (for example, for an individual's travel costs to attend a conference), and program administration.
Examples of projects funded through the RAF in 2003-04 are listed below.
- Pilyarra Pilbara Arts Centre Coordinator, based in the Courthouse Arts Centre and Gallery in Port Hedland. The centre provides a resource base to coordinate artists' studios, an exhibition program and arts development opportunities for Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists in the remote Pilbara region.
- A Good Night Out facilitator to match Queensland regional communities' desire for 'a good night out' with stimulating and relevant arts product. The actual 'good night out' is determined by community preferences, but could include a dinner or concert, locally produced theatre productions, master classes and specific entertainment events.
- The Heart Rhythms project supports a series of workshops for women experiencing mental illness on Kangaroo Island, South Australia. The workshops in African drumming, a capella singing and drum and dance will encourage the development of skills and networking between participants.
- Bute Utes: the Movie developed 40 short films with creative input from 280 people in four regional communities in Victoria: Robinvale, Benalla, Warrnambool and Bairnsdale. People from a broad cross-section of cultural backgrounds and artforms were involved, including a high proportion of Indigenous youth. The project has led to further opportunities for participants to pursue filmmaking.
- The Every Wrinkle Tells a Story partnership between Kickstart Arts Inc, Strathcare Nursing Homes and the Migrant Resource Centre (Tasmania), will produce music, theatre and writing workshops with older people.
Following an evaluation, the Government renewed the program in the 2004-05 Budget, providing funding of $10.7 million over four years.
|
 |
Students from Albury High School performing Stupid Cupid in the Biting Dog Festival 2004. Photographer: Kylie Goldsmith, Border Mail. |
Federation Fund
To help celebrate the Centenary of Federation in 2001, and to contribute to the enhancement of Australia's cultural heritage through a range of large and small infrastructure projects, the Government provided $434 million under the Federation Fund.
Most Federation Fund projects have been completed, with the exception of those experiencing delays in completing the final requirements of their funding agreements or which have been granted extensions by the Minister for the Arts and Sport.
As at 30 June 2004:
- 82 per cent (14) of the 17 Major Federation Fund projects had been completed. Two projects were completed during the year with a further three still to be completed. Two of the outstanding projects have multiple components which are due for completion in 2004-05. Options for the third project, the Holsworthy Rifle Range, are still being considered by the Government;
- 96 per cent (27) of the 28 Federation Cultural and Heritage Program projects have been completed. One project was completed during the year and the remaining project will be completed in 2004-05; and
- 99.5 per cent (998) of the 1003 Federation Community Projects have been completed with nine of these completed in 2003-04.
Art Indemnity Australia (AIA)
AIA is a program through which the Government indemnifies owners against loss of, or damage to, works loaned for exhibitions of significant cultural material. AIA supports affordable access to the world's cultural treasures.
Table 2.8 Art Indemnity Australia - final applications processed|
2001-02 |
2002-03 |
2003-04 | |
|
Number of final applications for indemnity received and processed |
2 |
5 |
5 |
|
Percentage of successful final applications |
100 |
100 |
100 |
In 2003-04, AIA indemnified the following exhibitions:
- John Glover and the Colonial Picturesque;
- Pierre Bonnard: Observing Nature;
- French Paintings from the Musee Fabre, Montpellier;
- The Edwardians: Secrets and Desires; and
- The Impressionists: Masterpieces from the Musée d'Orsay.
Over the past three financial years, there have been no indemnity claims under the AIA program.
There was an increase in venues in 2002-03 and 2003-04 as a result of the AIA program's support for the National Gallery of Australia's Out and About program, which took significant works of art from the Gallery's collection to state and regional galleries.
Table 2.9 Art Indemnity Australia - number of venues and geographic spread|
2001-02 |
2002-03 |
2003-04 | |
|
ACT |
2 |
1 |
3 |
|
NSW |
1 |
3 |
2 |
|
VIC |
2 |
3 |
2 |
|
TAS |
0 |
2 |
1 |
|
SA |
0 |
0 |
4 |
|
WA |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
NT |
0 |
2 |
1 |
|
QLD |
0 |
2 |
1 |
|
Total number of venues |
6 |
14 |
16 |
There was an increase in visitor numbers in 2003-04 due to a greater number of indemnified exhibitions when compared with 2002-03.
Table 2.10 Art Indemnity Australia - number of visitors to indemnified exhibitions|
2001-02 |
2002-03 |
2003-04 |
|
600 000 |
591 000 |
647 000 |
Philanthropy programs
The Department administers several philanthropy programs which facilitate private sector support for the arts.
The Register of Cultural Organisations (ROCO) allows qualifying cultural bodies to offer donors the incentive of a tax deduction for gifts of cash. Table 2.11 shows the number and value of donations over five years. The Cultural Gifts Program encourages gifts of significant cultural items to public art galleries, museums, libraries and archives, by offering donors a tax deduction for the market value of their gifts.
Table 2.11 Register of Cultural Organisations - number and value of donations|
1999-2000 |
2000-01 |
2001-02 |
2002-03* |
2003-04* | |
|
Number of donors |
152 303 |
91 256 |
57 777 |
53 151 |
57 955 |
|
Total donation value ($m) |
20.3 |
24.9 |
26.6 |
25.3 |
30.7 |
|
Average donation value ($) |
133 |
273 |
460 |
476 |
530 |
In July 2002, the Government introduced new provisions to encourage philanthropy. Capital gains tax exemption on the value of donations was introduced and donors were permitted to apportion the tax deduction for the value of donations over a period of up to five income years.
The number and total value of donations under the Cultural Gifts Program in 2003-04 was significantly lower than in the previous two years (table 2.12). As the program operates under the gift provisions of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 and as it is largely donor driven, it is difficult to identify clearly the factors which may have contributed to the decrease. The Department will closely monitor the trend over the next financial year.
Table 2.12 Cultural Gifts Program - number and value of donations processed|
1999-2000 |
2000-01 |
2001-02 (a) |
2002-03 |
2003-04 (b) | |
|
Number of donations processed* |
558 |
502 |
568 |
498 |
264 |
|
Total value ($m) |
17.5 |
18.2 |
34.5 |
44 |
24.8 |
|
Average donation value ($) |
31 362 |
36 255 |
60 739 |
88 353 |
93 939 |
(a) An unusually high-value donation in 2001-02 inflated the total value for that year.
(b) The increase in average value of donations over the five-year period may indicate a flow-through effect of the new philanthropy provisions introduced in 2000-01.
Case Study Cultural Gifts Program - 25 years of giving in AustraliaMore than 380 collecting institutions are endorsed by the Australian Government to receive donations under the Cultural Gifts Program administered by the Department. Many organisations with limited acquisition budgets rely on the gifts of benefactors to build their collections. The program was established in 1978 to encourage philanthropy by offering tax incentives for donations of significant cultural material to Australia's public museums, libraries and galleries. In the past 25 years, gifts of more than $290 million have been donated under the program.
In August 2003 the Minister for the Arts and Sport launched an online gallery to celebrate 25 years of the Cultural Gifts Program. The 25th Anniversary Online Gallery features a dazzling array of gifts including works from leading Australian artists like Fred Williams and Albert Tucker, rare fossil collections including the complete skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus Rex and remains of a Plesiosaur, cultural artefacts from the Pacific islands, political cartoons, and General Douglas MacArthur's World War II fishing dinghy. The Online Gallery is also an excellent resource for anyone interested in browsing through the fascinating, beautiful and intriguing collections of many of our cultural institutions. The 25th Anniversary Online Gallery is available at the program website: www.dcita.gov.au/cgp. |
||||
Applications processed within agreed timeframes
Programs administered by the Department under Output 1.1 met agreed timeframes as highlighted by the following.
- Under the Foreign Actors Certification Scheme, certificates are issued to confirm that relevant Australian content criteria have been met in relation to films or television productions, wholly or partially produced in Australia, for which producers wish to engage foreign performers. In 2003-04, 42 applications were processed, 98 per cent within the agreed timeframes.
- In 2003-04, Visions of Australia, Playing Australia, Festivals Australia and the Contemporary Music Program achieved 100 per cent compliance with the Department's Client Service Charter requirement to ensure grant payments were made three months prior to the project commencing.
- All ROCO applications were assessed against eligibility criteria and eligible applications were submitted to the Minister for the Arts and Sport and the Minister for Revenue and Assistant Treasurer for their consideration every three to four months, in line with program requirements.
- All Cultural Gift Program applications were processed to ensure that they were submitted to the next Taxation Incentives for the Arts Committee meeting in line with program requirements.
- Effective management of RAF grants to RAOs resulted in all payments and required reports meeting funding deed timelines, allowing RAOs to provide 182 grants for cultural activity in regional areas.
|
Type of advice |
Number |
Provided within agreed timeframes (%) |
|
Ministerial correspondence |
917 |
71 |
|
Briefings | ||
|
- initiated by the Department |
566 |
not applicable |
|
- meeting briefs |
474 |
84 |
|
Question time briefs |
275 |
68 |
|
Parliamentary Questions on Notice |
2 |
50 |
High quality and timely policy advice and Ministerial services
The Department provides policy advice to the Government on a wide range of cultural issues.
The Department aims to respond to all Ministerial requests for advice, including briefings and question time briefs, in a timely manner. Where this is not possible, the Department negotiates revised timeframes with the Minister's Office. The Department will continue to monitor its performance in providing timely responses and is upgrading its processes to assist that monitoring.
In responding to Parliamentary Questions on Notice, there was a delay in providing a response to one question because of the complexity of the response required, and the need to seek comprehensive input from the relevant portfolio agency.
This is the first year that performance information is being collected in this way and trends will be available from 2004-05.
In conjunction with cultural agencies, the Department has coordinated policy activities arising from the Review of Cultural Agencies outcomes announced in the context of the 2003-04 Budget. During 2003-04, key outcomes achieved included the development of a portfolio collection storage plan, a digital collection strategy and a coordinated agency procurement profile. The portfolio collection storage plan supported a successful bid by the National Library of Australia (NLA) for $9.9 million over four years from 2004-05.
Coordination of the Review also led to new funding arrangements for Bundanon Trust and NIDA, and to new administrative arrangements for ScreenSound and Questacon which were successfully implemented during 2003-04. The Department worked closely with collecting institutions and relevant agencies to progress policy objectives in respect of collection depreciation arrangements.
In 2003-04, the Department provided detailed policy advice to support outcomes for access and excellence in Australia's cultural activities and preservation and development of cultural collections. Highlights are set out below.
- In response to domestic production levels and concern about the performance of the local film industry, an analysis was undertaken of production and taxation issues relating to the film sector and outcomes of the film tax offset and 10BA/10B tax incentive schemes.
- Internal reviews into elements of the BIAP administered by the Department (ELR, Books Alive, and Book Industry Statistics) confirmed the effectiveness and efficiency of the three programs, leading to a decision to continue funding for the ELR.
- The Department contributed to new policy developments in philanthropy through a submission to the Prime Minister's Community Business Partnership and participation in an advisory committee that assessed public submissions to the Partnership. The Government's consideration of the Charities Bill was supported through preparation of a departmental submission and consultation with the arts sector.
- The review of the Australia Council's triennial funding, conducted jointly with the Council, contributed to renewed triennial funding from 2004-05 until 2006-07.
- Internal reviews were undertaken across a range of areas contributing to a Government decision to continue support for the RAF as a means of assisting access to cultural activity in remote and regional Australia. The Government will provide increased funding of $6.1 million over four years from 2004-05 for the AIA program, to address the impact of higher insurance costs and meet the increasing demand for access to exhibitions of significant cultural material.
Support for the contemporary visual arts and craft sector by Artbank
Artbank aims to provide greater access to the arts for Australians, to encourage emerging Australian artists and to assist the visual arts and craft sector to market itself nationally and internationally.
Over the past five years, Artbank's support to artists through purchases of artworks, has risen substantially. As a direct result of increased revenue, Artbank has been able to reinvest increasing amounts each year, culminating in a record level of support of $630 500 in 2003-04.
Graph 2.2 Financial support to artists - purchase of artworks
Since June 2000, the total value of the Artbank collection has risen steadily. Independent valuations are conducted at three-yearly intervals by expert valuers and audited by the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO).
Graph 2.3 Total value of collection
There has been a slight decrease over the last three years in the number of works on display at client premises and exhibitions. Despite this reduction, over the past five years average rental revenue per client has increased. This reflects changes in the rental market, with rental patterns indicating that clients are each renting fewer works of higher quality.
 |
Artbank is the largest national rental collection with over 9000 works available to government and private clients. This image represents the variety of artworks held at the Artbank showroom in Sydney with over 2000 works available to view at any one time. Photographer: Brenton McGeachie. |
Effective client satisfaction and consultation
The Department undertook a client satisfaction survey of 400 clients liaising with the Department on arts and cultural matters across a range of policy and program activities. Responses showed that 97 per cent were satisfied with the services provided by the Department, and 34 per cent of respondents rated their dealings as excellent.
Respondents were asked to comment on the extent to which the Department is achieving its objectives across its main areas of responsibility. In achieving access and excellence in Australia's cultural activities, 91 per cent of respondents were satisfied with the Department's effectiveness. In assisting the development and preservation of cultural collections, 90 per cent of respondents were satisfied with the Department's effectiveness.
The Department also consulted with a range of clients and stakeholders during the year on both policy initiatives and departmental programs. Examples of consultations are outlined below.
The Department held its annual Long Paddock forum with stakeholders to discuss policy issues and to facilitate the performing arts industry's input to the Playing Australia program. The Department also held a number of other forums on matters associated with the program during the year. A practical outcome of the consultations was the revision of the closing dates for Playing Australia funding rounds, to address client needs more effectively. Anecdotal feedback indicates that the industry welcomed the opportunity to participate in discussions on the program.
The Department also undertook broad stakeholder consultation on the renewed Regional Arts Fund to ensure that new program guidelines and performance indicators would be well received. The response of regional arts organisations was positive, including in terms of the level of consultation.
In 2003-04 the Department consulted with the dance industry on the delivery of Indigenous dance training. Those consulted included NAISDA, including its students and graduates, tertiary dance educators, dance practitioners, Indigenous dance organisations, Ausdance and the Australia Council. The consultations resulted in the Department receiving valuable insight into, and advice on, the feasibility of a range of delivery options.
Compliance with accountability standards
Following extensive consultation both within the Department and with Arts and Sport portfolio bodies, the publication General Guidance for Directors and Statutory Authorities was finalised for distribution early in 2004-05. The previous version has been updated to take account of developments in corporate governance and a current overview of best practice. This resource has been welcomed by directors of statutory authorities within the portfolio as complementing agency-specific information.
During the year the Department participated in two internal audits, on key performance indicators and on monthly financial reporting. Some recommendations of the audits have already been implemented, and the remainder will be implemented in 2004-05. The Department also participated in a stocktake of intellectual property policies and practices as a result of ANAO Audit No. 25 of 2003-04, Intellectual Property Policy and Practices in Commonwealth Agencies. All audits in which the Department participated are listed in Section 3.
Research and analysis activities contribute to policy development
Research activities undertaken during 2003-04 have provided important input into supporting policy development.
Completed in early 2004, the Creative Industries Cluster Study provided a comprehensive overview of the digital content industries, underpinned by research on the scope and dynamics of the digital content industry in Australia.
The study identified issues which would be assisted by joint industry and government consideration and which will be progressed through the Digital Content Industry Action Agenda. Issues to be addressed include education and training, research and development, export and marketing, and facilitation of investment.
During the year, the Australian Bureau of Statistics' industry surveys included reports on Book Publishers 2001-02 and Book Retailers 2001-02, as part of the book industry statistics program - a component of the Book Industry Assistance Plan managed by the Department. A review of the program found that the data is proving valuable to industry and government, including for planning and benchmarking purposes.
In undertaking research activity, the Department also supports increased access to information relevant to the arts and cultural sectors. The Culture and Recreation Portal recorded a 68 per cent increase in visits in 2003-04 to more than 2.5 million for the year. This is due to technical changes which raised the visibility of the portal's content on major search engines, as well as an increase in the quality and range of material offered.
Table 2.14 Culture and Recreation Portal performance indicators|
30 June 2003 |
30 June 2004 |
Change (%) | |
|
Visits per annum |
1 495 553 |
2 513 946 |
+ 68 |
|
Websites listed |
2 531 |
3 010 |
+ 19 |
|
Pages available |
1 224 028 |
1 446 059 |
+ 18 |
Highly effective budget management
As identified in the resources for outcome table at page 22, the overall price of Output 1.1 was on budget.
Regular evaluation of the budget outcome is conducted by managers and commentary on variations between budget and expenditure is provided to, and discussed by, the Executive Management Group (EMG) on a monthly basis. The commentary also includes forecasting of budget issues where possible.
Output 1.2 Preservation of and access to Old Parliament House and the National Portrait Gallery and their respective collections
Collections appropriately developed and managed
The Old Parliament House (OPH) collection consists primarily of items from the building's original furniture and fittings. The collection's value, assessed by the Australian Valuation Office, at 30 June 2004 was $2.7 million.
OPH continued to develop its political and parliamentary-related collection. Notable acquisitions included:
- a collection of gifts made to former Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies;
- a bust of former Prime Minister Ben Chifley by Kenneth Palmer;
- the former West Block Cabinet table (and 12 associated chairs), used by the Country Party/National Party between 1929 and 2003, on long-term loan from the Nationals and the Department of the House of Representatives;
- a representation of the original House of Representatives mace;
- the former HMAS Australia Admiral's table, used in the Senate Opposition Party Rooms between 1927 and 2003, on long-term loan from the Department of the Senate; and
- several collections of Country Party/National Party ephemera and memorabilia, including donations from former Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Tim Fischer.
The development of the OPH oral history collection also continued. Twenty-seven interviews were conducted in 2003-04, equal to the number conducted in 2002-03.
Significant additions to the National Portrait Gallery (NPG) collection in 2003-04 included portraits of:
- writer Elizabeth Jolley AO (2003) by Mary Moore (NPG commission);
- self-portrait by artist George Lambert (1922) (gift of John Schaeffer AO);
- businessman Essington Lewis CH (1952) by William Dargie (gift of BHP Billiton);
- Senator Dame Nancy Buttfield DBE (1958) by Ivor Hele (gift of the family); and
- Margaret Whitlam AO (1998) by Kim Spooner (gift of the artist).
The collection's depth and strength was highlighted by two exhibitions showcasing its development over the NPG's five years of operation: Making Portraits: 5 Years of NPG Commissions and Depth of Field: Portrait Photography in the NPG collection. The NPG's reputation was also evidenced by requests for loans of 18 works from its permanent collection.
As outlined in table 2.15, the cumulative number of items in the NPG collection was 710 at 30 June 2004, with an assessed value of $12.013 million.
Table 2.15 National Portrait Gallery - collection number of items and value at 30 June|
1999-2000 |
2000-01 |
2001-02 |
2002-03 |
2003-04 | |
|
Number of items* |
89 |
144 |
370 |
485 |
710 |
|
Assessed value |
$746 586 |
$6 761 897 |
$9 480 660 |
$10 390 435 |
$12 013 414 |
As of 30 June 2004, the Department's asset register listed 87 gifts valued at $769 900 received from 20 donors in 2003-04, compared with 98 gifts valued at $742 455 from 30 donors in 2002-03. As a result of a change in its collection management policy, the NPG Board agreed that an additional 68 donated works formerly in the NPG archive collection were to be transferred to the NPG collection in 2003-04. The archive collection includes items of lesser value, such as prints and photographs, which had not previously been added to the assets register by the NPG. These 68 works have been valued at $37 200.
Heritage buildings appropriately preserved and maintained
OPH undertook a range of refurbishment, restoration and conservation projects, in accordance with the relevant legislation, works codes, standards and policies.
Table 2.16 Building conservation and refurbishment - expenditure|
2001-02 |
2002-03 |
2003-04 | |
|
Total expenditure on relevant capital works |
$1.605m |
$2.991m |
$4.428m |
|
Total expenditure on relevant conservation works, including collection conservation |
$43 765 |
$163 400 |
$135 475 |
Major conservation works undertaken during the year included:
- stabilisation, restoration and protection of the original 1927 hand-painted wall features in the former Private Members' Dining Rooms; and
- conservation work in the Speaker's Suite and Major Party Rooms.
Conservation works ensure the ongoing preservation and integrity of the OPH building while also facilitating public display and access. OPH also commenced the process of nomination of the building for inclusion on both the Commonwealth Heritage List and the National Heritage List.
OPH continued its current five-year capital works plan of major refurbishment and restoration projects, including:
- completion of the first stage of the replacement of the building's front roof;
- restoration of the former National/Country Party rooms and adjacent areas as part of the Major Party Rooms project;
- refurbishment of the OPH House Gallery (former Deputy Prime Minister's offices) for use as a museum standard exhibition gallery; and
- restoration of the former Private Members' Dining Rooms and adjacent areas.
High visitor/audience satisfaction and engagement
Overall OPH and NPG visitor levels have remained healthy with visitation at the NPG's annex in Commonwealth Place helping to offset falls in visitor numbers to the main OPH building. In the last quarter of the year, the main OPH site also experienced a general turnaround in visitation with increases in visitor numbers.
Total combined visitors for the main OPH site and Commonwealth Place (excluding café, function and restaurant visitors) were 180 704, compared with 189 657 in 2002-03. This reduction is consistent with the general downturn in visitor numbers experienced by attractions in the Australian Capital Territory, partly as a result of a six per cent decrease in tourism during 2003-04.
Graph 2.4 Visitors to OPH and NPG
|
 |
View of the restored Country Party Room, Old Parliament House. Photographer: Steve Keogh. |
Graph 2.5 Functions and cafe visitors
Exit surveys conducted with visitors to OPH and NPG throughout the year showed that 98 per cent of visitors rate their overall experience as 'good' or 'very good'.
Growing visitor/audience reach, in Canberra and nationally
While maintaining, and perhaps increasing, visitation from other geographic segments, OPH and NPG sought particularily to increase visitation by Sydney and other New South Wales residents. An increase in visitors from New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia was achieved. OPH and NPG continued to develop new exhibitions, tours, family-friendly activities, interpretive projects and enhancements of services to increase and broaden audience reach. Visitation from a range of age brackets was maintained, with consistent strong performance in attracting people aged 25 years and over.
Graph 2.6 Total visitors to OPH and NPG
Source: OPH door-take figures and Ginger Catering data
Note: Ginger Catering commenced operations at OPH in August 2002. The Ginger Room restaurant opened in March 2004.
 |
A school group enjoying the education program at Old Parliament House. The school group will do a role play in the House of Representatives Chamber with the teacher and a student playing the Speaker and the Clerk of the House of Representatives and the rest of the students participating as MPs. Photograph: Courtesy of OPH. |
Although the House Gallery was closed for five months for relocation and refurbishment, OPH presented eight exhibitions in 2003-04 (compared with nine exhibitions in 2002-03). Major exhibitions included:
- Pickering & Pryor (12 December 2002 to 31 August 2003); and
- The People's Procession (2 December 2003 to 18 July 2004).
Exhibitions were complemented by a range of public programs including workshops, tours and fora. OPH continued to assess and evaluate all exhibitions and programs to improve their development and meet the needs of existing and potential audiences.
Other enhancements included presentation of specialist tours, including a new Women's Way Tour, and ongoing development and review of the OPH volunteer program.
The NPG presented nine exhibitions, the same number as 2002-03.
They included:
- Max Dupain: The Vintage Years (6 June to 10 August 2003);
- Presence and Absence: Portrait Sculpture in Australia (22 August to 16 November 2003);
- Lewis Morley: Myself and Eye (14 March to 29 June 2003);
- Proof: Portraits from the Movement by Juno Gemes (10 July to 7 September 2003); and
- Facing Memory: Headspace IV (19 September to 2 November 2003).
Four NPG exhibitions toured to venues outside Canberra during the year:
- Rarely Everage: The lives of Barry Humphries (Arts Centre, Melbourne);
- Lewis Morley: Myself and Eye (State Library of Victoria, Melbourne);
- Proof: Portraits from the Movement by Juno Gemes (Macquarie University, Sydney); and
- Australians in Hollywood (Arts Centre, Melbourne).
The NPG's 2003-04 exhibition program expanded its audience reach by building on existing strengths. For example, Australians in Hollywood highlighted the strength of the photographic collection.
NPG exhibitions were enhanced by catalogues, public programs, student workshops and Circle of Friends (NPG supporters) events.
In addition to touring exhibitions, continuing NPG offsite activities included:
- the Circle of Friends, whose numbers reached 761;
- the successful regular publication Portrait; and
- the continued growth and development of the NPG's contemporary gallery space at Commonwealth Place in the Australian Capital Territory.
The NPG continued to develop and consolidate its audience through its ongoing program of activities. In 2003-04, it presented five lectures and seminars and one symposium, including the annual Anniversary Lecture which was delivered by Marc Pachter, Director of the National Portrait Gallery, Washington DC.
The education sector continued to be a key growth area for OPH. The number of students accessing OPH services and programs continued to grow, both in actual numbers and as a proportion of overall visitors.
 |
Andrew Sayers, National Portrait Gallery Director and Oscar winning actor Geoffrey Rush at the opening of Australians in Hollywood (13 November 2003). Photographer: Geoff Comfort. |
OPH student visitors have increased significantly, from 34 171 in 2002-03 to 40 211 in 2003-04 and by 57 per cent since 2000-01. OPH has also grown in popularity to become Canberra's fourth most popular student venue, attracting approximately 30 per cent of all school visitors to the ACT in 2003-04. There were 12 536 students that experienced NPG education programs, a slight decrease on the 2002-03 figure of 13 700. Both OPH and NPG education programs were widely promoted to the formal education sector.
Surveys continue to indicate that teachers are very satisfied with their students' experience at OPH and NPG. Highlights of staff-directed programs included development of a 'World War II Prime Ministers' schools program, which will have continued relevance in the 2004-05 program with the 60th anniversary of the end of the World War II.
OPH and the NPG have also continued to develop a substantial presence through their website activities in 2003-04:
Table 2.17 Old Parliament House - website statistics 2003-04|
2002-03 |
2003-04 | |
|
Total visits |
57 939 |
69 719 |
|
Change from previous year |
Not available |
+20% |
Table 2.18 National Portrait Gallery - website statistics 2003-04
|
2002-03 |
2003-04 | |
|
Total visits |
50 000 approx |
62 270 |
|
Change from previous year |
Not available |
+25% |
Key content additions to the OPH website included material from the In the Picture and Playing Politics exhibitions, preliminary material for the planned Petrov Affair exhibition and an integrated events calendar.
Content additions to the NPG website included the Five Years in Review and Headspace IV exhibitions and ensuring that every NPG exhibition is represented online.
OPH and NPG exhibitions and activities continued to attract substantial media coverage. OPH generated 155 newspaper stories, 55 radio stories and 24 television stories in local and national media. This includes approximately $500 000 worth of media exposure for the April 2004 promotion of the Petrov Affair exhibition, which will open in August 2004. The NPG also continued to attract positive media coverage for its activities throughout 2003-04.
OPH and NPG success in meeting the needs of a growing and diverse audience was recognised through several awards. For the third year running, OPH and NPG won the Canberra and Capital Region Tourism Awards 'Heritage and Cultural Tourism' category. OPH and NPG also won the prestigious National Tourism Award in the same category, for the second year running. The NPG received five publication and design awards at the Museums Australia National Conference, matching the five achieved in 2003.
Timely advice
Performance against this measure for Output 1.2 has been combined with Output 1.1. Refer to page 42.
Revenue budgets are met
OPH and NPG revenues from other sources show a fall in 2003-04 from 2002-03 levels. This is primarily due to variations in donations of artwork and cash received in those years. Cash donations are difficult to estimate; in 2002-03 cash donations exceeded expectations.
Total revenue from other sources was $236 000 over the budget estimate. The major variation relates to NPG receiving more in donated cash and artworks than estimated.
Highly effective budget management
As identified in the resources for outcome table at page 22, the overall price of Output 1.2 was on track, with only a minor above budget performance (0.76 per cent). See table 2.19 below.
Regular evaluation of the budget outcome is conducted by managers and commentary on variations between budget and expenditure is provided to, and discussed by, EMG on a monthly basis. The commentary also includes forecasting of budget issues where possible.
Table 2.19 OPH and NPG revenue from other sources|
2002-03 $'000 |
2003-04 $'000 | |
|
PAES revenue budget |
2443 |
2174 |
|
OPH and NPG revenue actuals |
4066 |
2410 |