Today, NIDA hosted The Hon Tony Burke MP, Minister for the Arts, and The Hon Matt Thistlethwaite MP, Federal Member for Kingsford Smith, following the new funding for national arts training institutions announced in the Budget last week. Minister Burke and Kingsford Smith MP Thistlewaite’s visit included meeting with third-year NIDA students who are preparing for their June production season and a live rehearsal viewing.
Upon arrival, Minister Burke and Kingsford Smith MP Thistlethwaite were warmly greeted by NIDA’s leaders, including CEO, Liz Hughes, Chair, Catherine West, Head of First Nations, Travis Cardona (Acting, 2008) and Board members, Sigrid Thornton, AO and Chairman of the NIDA Foundation Trust, Peter Ivany, AO, along with Remy Hii (Acting, 2011) and Shakira Clanton (Acting, 2015) and current students from a range of disciplines.
The Minister and Kingsford Smith MP were invited to observe a rehearsal from The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee which is being directed by alum Darren Yap (Directing, 1997). Our special guests were treated to a musical number from the production which is in its final stages or rehearsal prior to production season kicking off on June 5. Next was a look at the bump-in progress for Frankenstein where they met with the Head of Directing, Dr. Benjamin Schostakowski, and the third-year student Production Designer, Andrea Knezevic, and Costume Designer, Angelina Daniel, for Frankenstein, who discussed some of the key elements of the upcoming production. Acting students Jack Bridges and Faisal Hamza also outlined the use of the stage and technology which will feature as part of the production.
The significant increase in funding of $51.9 million over four years more than doubles investment by the Federal Government bringing the contribution to 50% of NIDA’s operating budgeting in 2024.
NIDA Chair Catherine West thanked Minister Burke for the Albanese Government’s support, expressing how the funding would benefit the institution and students:
‘This is a pivotal moment for NIDA. Traditionally the organisation has been vastly underfunded for its size and impact and our financial situation has been dire. Without this uplift, NIDA would have had to stop running core programs where there are major skills shortages across the creative industries.’
‘We are grateful the Albanese government and Minister Burke have recognised NIDA’s inherent value. This more sustainable funding model enables NIDA to continue to contribute, generate and champion the future Australian storytellers on stages, screens, major events and in new forms of entertainment.’
‘Given NIDA’s core contribution and role in the creative sector, further strategic ambitions will need to source additional revenue to realise this potential. We will also continue to seek to grow our self-generated commercial and sponsorship revenue, corporate partnerships and philanthropy to ensure the best opportunities possible for NIDA students.’
NIDA alumni are known for creating and bringing to life commercial IP, enabling jobs for 100s of others. A good example of this recently is the smash hit production of The Picture of Dorian Gray featuring a range of NIDA grads led by director Kip Williams (Directing, 1983) and starring Olivier Award winner Sarah Snook (Acting, 2008). This ground-breaking production has created a new theatre experience with innovative technology that pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in performance.’
‘NIDA is the engine room for the Australian entertainment sector providing a skilled essential workforce for the 17-billion-dollar economy with a 95 per cent employment rate within the first six months of graduation. Many don’t people don’t know the incredible range of disciplines taught at NIDA, making it the backbone of the arts. From writing to directing to acting to specialist make-up, scenic construction and technologies, props and effects, costume making, design, musical theatre and technical production, NIDA trains the full suite of roles to bring entertainment to audiences.’
‘Our training, reputation and industry connection is world-renowned and NIDA is proudly placed in The Hollywood Reporter’s Top 25 drama schools and Top Ten costume design schools in the world.’
‘NIDA has trained and nurtured some of the world’s best storytellers both on stage, in front of the camera and behind the scenes. Many NIDA alumni are the tradespeople of the arts and we look forward to the next generation of imagineers and creators to walk in the doors of NIDA. We know they will walk out highly trained, industry-ready and set to enable the future of entertainment.’
