QUESTIONS ON NOTICE: Cultural Unit & QVMAG

From: Ray Norman <raynorman7250@bigpond.com>
Date: Thursday, 6 June 2019 at 1:03 pm
To: Contact Us <contactus@launceston.tas.gov.au>
Cc: GM <Michael.Stretton@launceston.tas.gov.au>, MAYOR <mayor@launceston.tas.gov.au>, "Peter Gutwein [Minister Local Govt.]" <peter.gutwein@parliament.tas.gov.au>
Subject: QUESTIONS ON NOTICE: Cultural Unit & QVMAG

CONTEXT

The questions below have been submitted previously as a component of series of questions submitted by the Concerned Citizens Network that as yet have been neither acknowledged nor responded to. Given that the Financial Year is about to commence, and thus Council’s draft budget will be operative. 

I submit that the questions posed below are relevant given that the information sought is not in evidence elsewhere and/or is not currently available to ratepayers/taxpayers by any other means. It is not insignificant that ratepayers’ investment in the institution’s/unit’s programming and recurrent funding is by way of an undisclosed levy – or put another way via ‘a conscripted investment’ via their rate demand.  

If I am incorrect in this understanding please direct me to where I and/or others might otherwise gain this information if it is on the public record elsewhere.

I am seeking this information to contextualise other information gained in the course of my research relative to ‘musingplaces’ in Tasmania. Also, a Launceston ratepayer, and thus a contributor to the institution and its operation for 30 plus years, and someone with cultural and intellectual property invested in the institution there is another layer of interest and ownership that comes into play. Likewise, there is arguably a rather extensive ‘Community of Ownership and Interest’ who have various ’investments’ in the QVMAG’s collections and program – not the least being donors and sponsors.

QUESTIONS 

Given the proposed budget allocation of $7.9Million or approx. $151K per week that is largely funded from rate demands:

1. How many staff are employed full-time and part-time in this area of activity overall and within the aegis of the 'Cultural     Unit'?
2. How many staff are employed full-time and part-time at the QVMAG?
3. How many staff are employed full-time and part-time Princess Theatre?
4. How many staff are employed full-time and part-time in Cultural Unit?
5. Given that the QVMAG BUDGET represents something in the order of 5.5% [ $6.2Mil] of the city's recurrent budget, how does this component of 'the cultural spend' compare with comparable cities elsewhere? 
6. Similarly, how does Launceston's total 'cultural spend' [$7,9 Mil ... 7%]  – plus $644K events spend – compare with comparable jurisdictions elsewhere in Australia.
7. Given that the Cultural Unit has been envisioned as a 'purposeful operation', going forward what are current outcomes that would be its measures of success in 1 year, 2 years, 3 years 5 years?
8. Given the additional $400K plus in the QVMAG'S recurrent budget allocation and the proposed $5.3K Capital expenditure, what are the anticipatable and measurable outcome flowing from this expenditure?
9. What specific 'productivity dividends' can be expected for cultural outputs in the Municipality as a consequence of the implementation of the 'Cultural  Unit' and other efficiencies being implemented? How and when are the 'dividends' going to be accessed and by whom?
10. What grant funds and/or sponsorships going forward are being sought in this area for cultural production, publications and/or research, and from whom?
11. What research projects are currently in place and when is it anticipated that there will be an outcome or interim report
12. What strategies are in place, and anticipated, towards developing incoming generative initiatives via, or by, the city's cultural producers et al via the 'Cultural Unit'.
13. Given the relative magnitude of the proposed operational budget/s what is the proposed reporting schedule to Council?

Ray Norman

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