Hon. Julie Freeman questions the WA government's decision to reject ongoing operational support for Propel Youth Arts WA, highlighting funding disparities with other states. The Minister responds by outlining assessment criteria and alternative support for youth arts.

AnsweredQoN 259Legislative Assembly
Asked
27 May 2025
Portfolio
Creative Industries

QuestionView source ↗

Propel Youth Arts WA
259. Hon Julie Freeman to the minister representing the Minister for Creative
Industries:
I refer to Western
Australia's peak youth arts association, Propel Youth Arts WA, and its forced
closure following the WA government's rejection of Propel's application for ongoing
operational support.
(1) Why did the WA government reject Propel Youth
Arts WA's application for ongoing operational support in 2023?
(2) Was an impact assessment conducted before
deciding to withdraw core funding from WA's peak youth arts body?
(3) What criteria does the government use to
determine funding priorities for youth arts organisations?
(4) How does the government justify the stark funding
disparity between WA and other states, such as South Australia's $2.8 million allocation
to Carclew?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question. The following response has
been provided by the Minister for Creative Industries.
(1) The application from Propel Youth Arts (Propel)
did not rate competitively against the assessment criteria.
(2) Propel was invited to submit a proposal to
continue to deliver key services for the youth arts sector while transitioning its
business model. The state government supported Propel with funding commitments
of $530,000 over two years.
(3) Arts funding is assessed against the criteria
of quality, reach, good planning and budget, and whether the application meets
the objectives of the specific grant program. The arts organisation investment
program's objectives are to invest in a portfolio of small to medium-sized organisations
and are publicly available.
(4) The government supports a wide body of
organisations that deliver services and programming for young people. This
includes the West Australian Youth Jazz Orchestra, Sensorium Theatre, the Western Australian Youth Theatre Company, Western Australian
Youth Orchestras, Barking Gecko Arts, The Literature Centre, Spare Parts Puppet
Theatre, plus many of the larger arts organisations offer youth leadership and specific
programming. Many of the services provided by Carclew Inc are delivered in WA
by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries or through
other youth organisations funded by the DLGSC.

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