Tania de Jong Calls for Urgent Reform to Save Australian Performing Arts
Tania de Jong, in an opinion piece for ArtsHub, highlights a crisis within Australia’s performing arts industry, referencing cancellations such as Byron Bay Bluesfest and productions like Waitress and Beetlejuice. Although Live Performance Australia’s 2024 report indicates a record ticket revenue of $3.4 billion and an attendance of 31.4 million, growth is primarily seen in major tours, leaving independent artists and smaller productions at risk. De Jong cautions about potential wider economic repercussions and suggests an action plan that includes annual income reports, a national touring fund, clear funding criteria, local advisory panels, a government-supported insurance scheme, and assistance for grassroots venues. She stresses the urgency for reform to create a sustainable arts environment.
Key facts
- Tania de Jong is a performer, producer, social entrepreneur and founder of Creative Universe, Creativity Australia, The Song Room, Pot-Pourri, Umbrella Foundation, Mind Medicine Australia and Creative Innovation Global.
- Live Performance Australia’s 2024 report recorded $3.4 billion in ticket revenue and 31.4 million attendances, the highest ever, with revenue up 6.9% and attendance up 4.6% compared with 2023.
- Cancelled or scaled-back events include Byron Bay Bluesfest, Newcastle Hunter Jazz Festival, Inverloch Jazz Festival, and the musicals Waitress and Beetlejuice.
- De Jong produced Driftwood The Musical in 2022 and 2023, which made a loss despite positive reviews and sold-out performances.
- Proposed measures include a national touring equalisation fund, a government-backed festival insurance scheme, and a levy on tickets to large entertainment events to support independent venues.
- De Jong founded The Song Room in 1999 to provide arts learning programs in schools.
- There are now over 30 With One Voice social inclusion community choirs around Australia.
- De Jong was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia and named one of the 100 Women of Influence and 100 Australian Most Influential Entrepreneurs.
Entities
Artists
- Tania de Jong
- Rebecca Bode
- Jon Bode
- Jonathan Morton
- Anthony Barnhill
- Peter Hunt AM
- Steven Mitchell Wright
- Stephen A Russell
- Mich McCowage
- Izabella Yena
- Angus Cameron
- Kate Mulvany
- Taylor Swift
- Bridget Costello
- Anton Berezin
- Nelson Gardner
- Michaela Burger
Institutions
- ArtsHub
- ScreenHub
- Pot-Pourri
- Creative Universe
- Creativity Australia
- With One Voice
- Creative Innovation Global
- Mind Medicine Australia
- Umbrella Foundation
- The Song Room
- Live Performance Australia
- Byron Bay Bluesfest
- Newcastle Hunter Jazz Festival
- Inverloch Jazz Festival
- Waitress
- Beetlejuice
- Driftwood The Musical
- Melbourne Theatre Company
- Accor Stadium
- MEAA
- Creative Australia
- Brisbane Festival
Locations
- Australia
- Byron Bay
- Newcastle
- Inverloch
- Melbourne
- Brisbane