‘Devastating': Two local arts organisations shut up shop
The curtain has officially closed on the Perth International Cabaret Festival after five years, just as the organisation was about to release its 2025 program.
In an official statement, the PICF board said the shock closure of the festival was due to a 'critical shortfall in funding,' leaving no other option but to shut up shop.
Established in 2019, the festival has delivered more than 100 shows to more than 15,000 Western Australians and injected an estimated $10 million into the State's economy.
PICF Chair John Poulsen said the festival consistently delivered cultural, social and economic value.
'We created something truly special and it's devastating to see it leave a hole in the winter arts and events calendar in Perth – not because of a lack of vision, passion or success, but because foundation financial support could not be secured,' Mr Poulsen said.
This is despite the State Government releasing a ten-year roadmap for the future of WA's culture, arts and creative industries titled 'Creative WA: A 10 Year Vision to Grow and Sustain Our Creative Eco-System'.
It comes as another arts organisation in Perth, Propel Youth Arts WA, announced it will shut down at the end of June after the State Government rejected its proposal for ongoing operational funding.
The organisation has been around since 2003 and has supported more than 500,000 young people in pursuing their creative ambitions, their website states, 'it's an understatement to say we feel this loss deeply'.
A spokesperson for the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries said no reduction in funding had taken place and the circumstance for each organisation is complex and specific to them.
'It was the decision of the PICF to wind up its operations,' they said.
'Since 2020 PICF have received $535,730 in WA Government funding from the Department of Local Government Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC). PICF have also received funding from Lotterywest.'
'The WA Government supports a wide portfolio of organisations that deliver services and programming for young people. This includes the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra, Sensorium, The WA Youth Theatre Company, The WA Youth Orchestra, Barking Gecko Arts, The Literature Centre, Spare Parts Puppet Theatre plus many of the larger arts organisations offer youth leadership and specific programming.'
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