OCM 27 AUG 2024 · ITEM 12.3 · RES OCM-24/08-010

Arts and Culture Sponsorship 2024/2025

Carried 5–3

Amended motion approving Arts and Culture Sponsorships totalling $725,000 (ex GST) to 11 applicants, including $170,000 over two years for PICA Connect, $120,000 for WASO's Serenade the City and $60,000 for The Lester Prize 2024.

What it changed. Raises the Lester Prize 2024 sponsorship from $20,000 to $60,000, lifting the Arts and Culture Sponsorship total from $685,000 to $725,000.

Reasons given in the minutes. 1. The Lester Prize is a high-profile event with a long association with the city. Since 2017 we have provided $60,000 per annum for this event. 2. This event has national prominence, and The Lester Prize has provided a significant platform for many West Australian artists. It is widely acknowledged as an important event in the city's cultural calendar. 3. The inclusion of the workshop series, youth awards and the transport initiatives whereby seniors, students and indigenous finalists from the Kimberley are transported to the city for this event. 4. The fee to attend the exhibition at the museum is $15 and this gives the participant a year's subscription to the museum. The museum charges this money and none of the funds go to The Lester Prize, but it is seen as an investment in our culture by encouraging people to visit the museum at other times during the year due to their membership and thus encouraging them to come to the city at other times. 5. The latest application submitted to council was unfortunately flawed due to inexperienced staff making the application, but to overcome this we already have experience supporting this award and approving their applications since 2017, now for the same amount. They are not asking for an increase of funds. 6. In 2025 The Lester Prize main exhibition will feature 40 of the 900 original artworks submitted by artists across Australia considered for 7 awards totalling over $100,000 in prize money. 7. As well as the main award there is The Lester Prize Connecting Communities Project which is a community engagement initiative that brings visitors from 5 metropolitan area to attend the exhibition by a free bus service. 8. There is also a separate youth exhibition, The Lester Prize Youth Awards. Attendance at this exhibition is free for students. 9. Our City of Perth has been acknowledged as one of the most liveable cities in the world and the only criticism offered is that we lack culture. The Lester Prize is renowned throughout Australia and proudly our city's sponsorship is a vital part of this success. 10. It is estimated that over 50,000 people will attend as this is in the foyer of the museum and the previous exhibition was in a small room hidden away in the Art Gallery. 11. $20,000 has already been recommended to be approved. This needs to be increased to $60,000 which will make this event viable and enable it to be a continuing part of our city's culture.

Moved by Clyde Bevan, seconded by Bruce Reynolds.