Increased funding for arts organisations, new museum programs and designer fashion grants are some of the initiatives announced in the 2006-07 State Budget.
Culture and Arts Minister Sheila McHale said that in addition to the capital works budget of $131.18million to be allocated over the next four years, the State Government would provide increased funding to key arts organisations.
"Indexation will be introduced from July 2006 for the 44 key arts organisations funded through the Department of Culture and the Arts," Ms McHale said.
"Indexation will provide more financial and artistic sustainability for the sector and enable arts organisations to undertake medium-term planning with more certainty.
"Some of the arts organisations to benefit include: Artrage Festival, Barking Gecko Theatre Company, Country Arts WA, Perth Theatre Company, Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts, and West Australian Opera."
The Minister said the Western Australian Museum in Kalgoorlie, Albany, Geraldton and the Maritime Museum in Fremantle would also benefit in the State Budget, with a $250,000 funding boost for public programs.
"This new money will expand public programming capabilities around school students and for children during the school holidays and allow the Museum to create original programs to match exhibitions being held, as well as events within the wider community," she said.
Ms McHale said $500,000 over two years would also be invested in the Designer Fashion Grants Program to continue nurturing distinctive design in the State.
"Since the Designer Fashion Program started in 2004, there has been a 400 per cent increase in showcasing WA design to national and international buyers," she said.
"With the continuation of the program, local designers will have an opportunity to participate in the prestigious Australian Fashion Week and international events such as G'Day LA, and in New York and Milan."
