I was born into the Arts with family who Produced and Directed Australian Films,
TV and stage productions.
I married a thespian who studied at London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts and performed a decade at the Globe Theatre.
I have spent my adult life
supporting Artist entrepreneurs,
live music and theatres as
the Arts is our enduring zeitgeist.
SPEECH DELIVERED AT CANDIDATES FORUM
A vision for the Arts in the City of Port Phillip
Candidates, fellow community members, and advocates of the Arts,
I stand before you today not just as a candidate, but as someone who has a deep, personal connection to the Arts. It’s not just in my blood, it’s in my history. My family has been involved in the creative force behind iconic works like Pharlap, The Man From Snowy River, the Royal Ballet, and Cirque du Soleil. I even found myself, as a child, appearing in Carson’s Law. I’ve spent decades surrounded by artists and creators, and I’ve seen firsthand the impact the Arts can have on both individuals and the community.
For over ten years, I lectured in entrepreneurship at Swinburne and RMIT Universities, teaching artists and entrepreneurs alike how to pitch their creative ideas to real investors, stakeholders, and partners. Many of these ventures were in the Arts, and I’ve worked with musicians, magicians, circus performers, and innovators who have the power to shape our culture. Since moving to the City of Port Phillip, I’ve been proud to get involved in local events like the Art Crawl, the St Kilda Writers Festival, the Alex Theatre, and our vibrant live music scene.
But we are at a critical moment for the Arts, both here in Port Phillip and across the country. The cost of living crisis has left many without the loose change to spend on culture, and Arts funding often feels like it’s at the mercy of larger economic forces. This needs to change, and it starts with how we approach Arts funding here in our city.
Funding the Arts: Creativity and innovation
When it comes to funding the Arts, we need to get creative. We can’t simply think of the Arts as something nice to have— it is an essential part of our economy, our culture, and our identity. We need to look at Arts funding through an entrepreneurial lens. What is our unique value? What makes us distinct from other cities? Here in Port Phillip, our value lies in supporting new works, emerging professional artists, and innovation.
Take St Kilda Play Reads, for example—a wonderful initiative that brings passionate theatre lovers into the earliest stages of a production, providing invaluable feedback to artists. Or Gasworks’ circus productions, which not only bring local audiences but also attract domestic tourism. These are the kinds of unique experiences that set us apart and drive both cultural and economic growth.
Artists are small business owners, sole traders, and champions of culture. Supporting them must be a core part of our economic development strategy. A socioeconomic study of the Alex Theatre showed that for every dollar invested in the Arts, many times that amount is returned to our local economy. And look at the St Kilda Festival—a $2 million investment by the Council generates $28 million for our local traders. That’s a 14x return on investment! Imagine the impact if we can amplify these efforts, involve more local artists, and expand participation.
Strategic growth and long-term support
If elected, I will advocate for extending our current one-year Arts grants to three-year funding cycles. This would give artists the stability they need to plan, innovate, and grow their ventures. Entrepreneurship, by definition, is the creation of new value—and new, distinct value is exactly what our Arts community needs to thrive.
We also need to find ways to make venue maintenance more cost-efficient. I propose exploring shared service models where we amortise the cost of maintaining our venues across service providers. This would not only reduce expenses but ensure our cultural spaces remain in top condition, ready to host the artists and audiences who bring life to our city.
Reclaiming Port Phillip's identity as an Arts hub
Port Phillip is Melbourne’s emerging professional Arts destination. But we can’t rest on that reputation alone—we need to actively foster it, ensuring that the branding currently focused on St Kilda extends across the entire city, from Port Melbourne to Elwood. We should be looking to forge new partnerships, within our city and beyond.
We must also call on the federal government to suspend Fringe Benefits Tax on meals, entertainment, and parking—giving our local arts and entertainment sectors the boost they so desperately need. Live music, in particular, is the beating heart of our community. It existed before written history, and when our music is taken away, so too is our culture, our expression, and our sense of social connectedness.
We must call upon the State Government to review insurance support arrangements, to lift the threshold for payroll tax and further review and refine planning and liquor licensing regulations which make costs a significant factor.
The path forward
As a councillor, I will be determined to see real, practical support for our artists and venue owners. Together, we can make Port Phillip a vibrant, thriving arts hub that not only stands out in Melbourne but sets an example for the rest of the country and takes our talent to the world stage.
It’s time to make Port Phillip the beating heart of the Arts once again!
Thank you.
lauren@laurensherson.com.au
Authorised by L Sherson 60 Richardson St Albert Park 3206
(c) Lauren Sherson 2024