Private Sector Support for Arts Continues to Grow
28 June 2011 at 3:55 pm
Private sector support for arts and cultural organisations in Australia continues to grow according to the results of the 2011 AbaF survey of private sector support for the arts.
The annual AbaF (Australia Business Arts Foundation) survey of private sector support for the arts found that as a proportion of overall income, private sector support has expanded to 10.4% this year, up from 9.3% in 2008-09.
The report also reveals that overall private sector support for the arts has increased by 98% since 2001-02, from $111.6 million to $221.1 million.
The AbaF survey tracks the value of sponsorships and donations to Australian Not for Profit arts organisations, tracking small and medium sized arts organisations as well as major galleries, festivals and performing arts companies.
AbaF CEO Jane Haley says the efforts of arts companies to build connections with donors is clearly delivering results, with income from giving increasing by 10.6% to $123.1 million.
Other key findings of the survey include:
- Overall private sector support for the arts was $221.1 million, an increase of 4.25% from 2008-09.
- Giving increased significantly to $123.1 million from 2008-09, up 10.6%.
- Sponsorship declined by 2.7%, sitting at $98 million, the first negative growth since 2004-05.
- The proportion of total income for arts and cultural organisations accounted for by private sector support has increased to 10.4% in 2009-10 from 9.3% in 2008-09.
Haley says AbaF had expected a decrease in sponsorships in 2010 since business support for the arts tends to lag the general economic performance by 18 -24 months. Australia’s decrease of 2.7% was moderate compared to similar decreases in the UK of 11%.
The report also reveals the largest share of private sector support continues to go to arts organisations in New South Wales and Victoria; although the percentage of overall support is slightly down from 71% to 65%.
By art form, the performing arts continue to attract the largest amount ($79 million) followed by art galleries ($51 million) and arts festivals ($31 million).
AbaF received responses from 318 arts and cultural organisations for this year’s survey, using those figures to extrapolate a figure for the whole Not for Profit arts and cultural sector.
The survey measures total contributions received by participating arts organisations in the form of sponsorships and partnerships (monetary and in-kind) and donations from individuals, foundations and trusts.
The full survey summary results available to download free at www.abaf.org.au
