Private sector potential source of arts funding

Press, 15 July 1987, Page 5

Private sector potential source of arts funding

PA Wellington An increasing share of arts funding should come from the private sector, said the National Party’s arts spokesman, Mr Simon Upton. Releasing National’s two-r policy on the arts, Mr Upton said the private sector was potentially a substantial source of funding. If one in 50 taxpayers contributed $5OO each the

input could be as high as $l5 million in extra funding.

To encourage private funding, National would allow tax-deductibility of gifts of up to $2OOO to cultural organisations a year. At present, a $2OO rebate was available, Mr Upton said. The Government would still contribute, but the share of the additional $6 million National could

make available would depend on the amount the arts raised from the private sector.

National’s leader, Mr Bolger, said arts funding was an “age-old question”.

“But the nation’s cultural heritage is finally driven by people rather than propped up by Government,” he said.

“The Government shouldn’t be into a value judgment of who gets what funding.”

National would like to see some stability in arts funding, which had traditionally been affected by changes in Government and the rate of inflation.

More positive and vigorous input from the private sector, matched by Government contributions, would allow cultural groups more stability and a chance for planning “coherent programmes into the future,” Mr Bolger said. Film expenditure could be written off as it occurred at a rate of 100 per cent under National’s policy.

Mr Upton said this would encourage investment in good films by the private sector, rather than investment regardless of the film’s quality, for the sake of a tax write-off.

The New Zealand Film Commission would be maintained to provide for development and training requirements not undertaken by the private sector.

Following its broadcasting policy — which allows for a complete restructuring of public broadcasting in New Zealand — National would take the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra from under the Broadcasting Corporation umbrella.

Mr Upton said it would be set up as a separate entity, funded at a level equal to the net costs incurred now by the Corporation. A board of trustees would administer the orchestra.

Protecting performers’ royalties was also covered in the policy, which promises a review of the copyright laws relating to cassettes and video tapes. Mr Bolger said a number of options would be considered.

A medium-term report on the future of arts in New Zealand would be prepared by the Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council. National reaffirmed that the council was the appropriate body to distribute Government money for the arts, the policy document said.