Independents for Canberra candidates at the October 19 election have committed to strengthening community connections with a focus on enhancing the cultural vibrancy of the national capital including a two-week arts festival.

The group says it is committed to:

• Working with the private sector to deliver a Canberra Festival that creates new opportunities for local artists.
• Constructing a new multicultural centre that’s fit for purpose for large events and meets our multicultural community’s expectations.
• Following the lead of NSW and Queensland in establishing a night-time economy commissioner tasked with reinvigorating Canberra’s nightlife, including by building ongoing collaborative relationships with local artists, night-time businesses and creative communities.

Independents for Canberra say per-capita capital expenditure on arts and culture in the ACT has declined from a high of above $60 in 2010-11 to less than $20 in 2021-22.

“Delivering a Canberra Festival will create new opportunities for local artists while proving what is possible with an ambitious commitment to the cultural and creative activation of our city,” the group says.

“Canberra is an incredibly diverse community. We are proud of our multiculturalism but our city lacks appropriate facilities to host major events of cultural significance, despite repeated past promises from our government. A purpose-built multicultural centre is long overdue.

“Social cohesion in Australia is declining; 40 per cent of adults in the ACT say they are lonely – the highest rate of any jurisdiction in the country. Young adults are the loneliest. Establishing a new night-time economy commissioner will increase the ACT government’s capacity to collaborate with artists, creative communities and venue managers.”

Anne-Louise Dawes, candidate for Murrumbidgee, said her experience in arts policy as a senior public servant showed her how the better resourcing for the arts in other jurisdictions leads to better activation of entertainment spaces and to great festivals and events.

“The ACT needs to make better use of a range of federal programs. It’s time to demand Canberra’s fair share of all funding rolled out to build better lives across Australia. Every dollar spent in the arts, in visual art, music, literature and screen leads to economic recovery and economic diversity,” said Ms Dawes.

“More needs to be done by the territory government to activate our vital live music venues. A Canberra Festival focused on activating and celebrating our local creative communities arts and live music scene, while attracting visiting artists, would go a long way.

“We also need to take advantage of events like Floriade by marketing our other attractions. I love the ‘stay another day’ concept, where we encourage visitors to discover ecotourism opportunities here, and enjoy a plunge in the river and a walk in our bushlands.”

Thomas Emerson, Kurajong candidate and leader of Independents for Canberra, called for a more collaborative approach from the government to enhance the cultural fabric of the city.

“Canberra should be famous for its artistic and cultural vibrancy. But we’re hearing from venues who are on the brink of closure, fantastic artists who are struggling to make ends meet in our city and young people who wish Canberra had a more interesting nightlife”, said Mr Emerson.

“Let’s collaborate with our local creative communities to deliver a two-week-long Canberra Festival where we show what an enlivened night-time economy can do for the ACT.

“The festival would spread across the city with art installations and live music in local venues, night markets, free public transport, street closures creating safe zones, and extended trading hours for pubs, bars and restaurants. Combined with the updated sound laws, we can have a new festival the whole community can enjoy.”

“I absolutely love living here but we do need to invest more in bringing people together and making Canberra less boring.”