Page 1383 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 6 May 2015
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Many of our key arts organisations also collaborate with youth organisations. For example, the Tuggeranong Arts Centre partners with Rotary for the Rotary youth arts prize, now in its 21st year. Through these programs young people are able to develop their artistic skills and be mentored by leading artists in safe and inclusive environments. The government’s funding agreement with the ANU includes a range of music and visual arts programs delivered in ACT schools where students develop skills in singing and playing instruments across classical and jazz music through the ANU School of Music. The singing program alone attracts some 8,000 students a year. Students also gain an understanding and appreciation of the visual arts through programs delivered by the ANU School of Art.
The ACT arts fund also includes a specific program for young artists known as start-up grants for activities that assist, encourage, develop or promote the artist and their arts practice. The Cultural Facilities Corporation presents a number of theatre productions throughout the year at the Canberra Theatre Centre that are targeted at young audiences, and the Canberra Museum and Gallery and the three historic places present an extensive range of education programs and family programs for young people. These include popular programs such as CMAG on Sunday, “T” is for toddler, school programs and school holiday activities.
The arts are, of course, a core part of the ACT Education and Training Directorate’s curriculum and there are a number of dedicated arts programs for students, including step into the limelight and the instrumental music program. It funds a number of arts organisations to deliver arts programs in schools, including dance through QL2 Dance and Kulture Break, and music through Musica Viva ACT.
An important part of developing young people’s fitness, health, coordination and socialisation is our support for junior sport. This includes the provision of indoor and outdoor sporting facilities, grants to sporting clubs and bodies, and the school health and fitness programs supported by gym facilities and ovals at schools. I am proud to note the upgrading of sporting and fitness facilities in Belconnen, such as the Kippax oval redevelopment, the Weetangera oval upgrade, the fitness facilities at John Knight park and the investment in the University of Canberra sports commons. That includes not just elite sports facilities but community sports facilities and accommodation for sports administrators. For example, one of those organisations based at the University of Canberra sports commons is Good Sports ACT. It recently received an ACT government grant as part of the healthy food at sport program to work with ACT sports clubs with junior players to develop and support healthier canteens and provide free workshops for club volunteers on food safety and nutrition.
The commitment of this ACT Labor government to Canberra’s youth is clear. It is a commitment to the future of our city, and I commend the motion to the Assembly.
MR WALL (Brindabella) (11.55): I move the amendment circulated in my name:
Omit in paragraph (1)(b) the word “Labor”.
The motion before us today highlights the importance of supporting the youth in our city, the importance of recognising that they are our future and the importance of us being responsible custodians of the future that they will inherit. I think it is important
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