Former Australia Council CEO to lead team to develop SA arts plan

The South Australian government has appointed former Australia Council CEO Tony Grybowski to head the team that develops a new arts plan for the state.

The first SA arts plan since 2000 will be delivered by mid-2019.

Grybowski led the Council through its most significant period of strategic and organisational reform, resulting in a new arts funding model, international strategic arts development, research and support for First Nations people.

He worked with the Victoria government on its landmark arts strategy, Creative Capacity + and in the development, launch and implementation of the Australia Council’s inaugural A Culturally Ambitious Nation launched in 2014.

Now based in Melbourne, Grybowski will work in partnership with strategic consultant Graeme Gherashe and a team of experts to undertake a comprehensive review of the state’s arts, cultural and creative sector and its funding structures.

SA premier Steven Marshall hailed the arts plan is a pillar of his government’s election commitments for the arts.

“We are very pleased to be working with such great leaders in the field of arts and cultural strategy,” he said.

Grybowski and Gherashe will be joined by award-winning author Dr Claire Scobie, arts policy specialist Kathryn Deyell and creative director and cultural geographer Dr Sarah Barns to engage with stakeholders.

These consultations will take the form of digital surveys, focus groups, interviews and ‘town-hall’ meetings that will be held across the state.

An Advisory Group comprising SA and national arts and industry leaders will be established early in the process.

SA’s arts sector employs more than 16,000 people.

The state arts sector had been apprehensive about the Marshall government’s plans, after dismissing Arts South Australia executive director Peter Louca last August, cutting its staff by 42% and stripping $4.9 million from the 2018-2019 budget.