Same size, same level of funding? In fact, there aren’t too many mirror images when it comes to government funding for major dance companies. Pictured: West Australian Ballet’s production of ‘Romeo & Juliet’, 2024. Image: Supplied.
If you’re an arts worker residing outside ‘the big two’ cities – Melbourne or Sydney – you will know the feeling of being out of sight and out of mind all too well.
With the largest funding agencies based in either of these hubs, some arts companies outside of this bubble feel like their supposedly ‘remote’ locations are the roadblocks in the way of the government funding they feel they deserve.
ArtsHub's Arts Feature Writer Jo Pickup is based in Perth. An arts writer and manager, she has worked as a journalist and broadcaster for media such as the ABC, RTRFM and The West Australian newspaper, contributing media content and commentary on art, culture and design. She has also worked for arts organisations such as Fremantle Arts Centre, STRUT dance, and the Aboriginal Arts Centre Hub of WA, as well as being a sessional arts lecturer at The Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA).
