The PSA Keep Our Icons Alive Rally has been postponed due to COVID-19. The rally will go ahead another day.
Campaign successes
The Keep Our Icons Alive campaign has made notable successes. Since Arts Minister Don Harwin outlined potential multi-million dollar cuts in answer to budget estimates opposition questions, the PSA has been pressuring the NSW Government for funded, permanent and safe jobs. These wins do not happen without collective voices, coming together campaigning for change.
Sydney Living Museums confirm “jobs are not at risk”
In reaction to this campaign, the Sydney Living Museums Executive promised “jobs are not at risk”. The PSA will hold Sydney Living Museums and the NSW Government to account on this promise.
Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences – $500 million and 100 new jobs
The NSW Government confirmed they will invest an additional $500 million in the Powerhouse Museum building. It has also been reported in Arts Hub that that the NSW Government expects that when the “museum is finished, operational expenditure will have increased with 100 new jobs in the creative industries funded at the museum”.
This is a building that 18 months ago the NSW Government wanted to close down. Now, due to collective pressure, the NSW Government is giving it a $500 million upgrade.
The PSA will fight to make sure this money is spent not only on capital expenditure (such as building works), but on operational expenditure (such as jobs), too. The PSA will be calling on the MAAS executive to use this funding to increase permanent jobs.
Australian Museum + Sydney’s Museums and galleries – $40 million allocated to new international cultural attractions
The NSW Government has allocated $40 million to new international cultural attractions to Sydney’s Museums and Galleries.
However, the NSW Government has kept very quiet about increases to operational budgets. The PSA will be holding the NSW Government to account, to ensure the increase in visitors is matched by an increase in jobs.
The PSA will calling on the MAAS executive to use this funding to increase permanent roles at the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences.
State Library pushes for permanency
The PSA has started co-ordinating a local campaign to push for an increase of ongoing roles at the State Library. PSA members will hear more from the PSA in the coming weeks.
Art Gallery NSW – negotiating Health and Safety Representatives
The PSA Delegates at the Art Gallery of NSW are leading the way for NSW Cultural Institutions, and are negotiating Health and Safety Representatives. Electing Health and Safety Representatives at the Art Gallery of NSW will increase focus on psychological and physical work health and safety.
Free General admission to museums and galleries
The NSW Government will be supporting up to 12 months of free general admission (in and around Macquarie street. The PSA supports this change as museums and galleries will be more accessible to NSW families.
However, the NSW Government has kept very quiet about increases to operational budgets. The PSA will be holding the NSW Government to account, to ensure the increase in visitors is matched by an increase in jobs.
2020 wins – Powerhouse Museum saved + 50 CI jobs saved
In 2020, this campaign contributed to keeping the Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo and building a new one in Parramatta. It saved more than 50 Cultural Institution jobs when the galleries and museums closed in March 2020 due to COVID-19.
2021 NSW State Budget
The NSW State Budget will be handed down tomorrow. The PSA will continue to keep pressure on the NSW State Government, demanding an increase in operational funding to NSW Cultural Institutions. The PSA will continue to campaign for NSW Cultural Institution jobs that are funded, permanent and safe.
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