Performing Arts
Performing Arts, Australia, 2006-07
(cat. no. 8697.0)
Australia’s performing arts earned $733.4 million during the 2006-07 financial year as revealed by the Performing Arts, Australia, 2006-07 publication released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on 28 May 2008.
Summary of Operations
At the end of June 2007, there were 726 performing arts operation
businesses/organisations in Australia. Of these, 180 were primarily involved in popular music production, 102 in symphony and choral production, 143 in drama production, 36 in dance production and 264 in other productions such as musical theatre, circuses, etc.
These 726 businesses/organisations comprised 381 for-profit businesses and 345 not-for-profit organisations. Collectively, these businesses/organisations employed 6,569
people at the end of June 2007. In addition to paid employment, there were 6,582 volunteers during the month of June 2007.
Sources of Income
During 2006–07, businesses/organisations predominantly involved in performing arts operation generated $733.4m in income.
The main source of income for these businesses/organisations was box office income ($356m), which accounted for just under half (48.5%) of total income. Government funding accounted for 23.7% (or $173.8m) of total income, and contract performance fees 9% (or $66.2m). Not-for-profit organisations accounted for almost two-thirds of total income (61% or
$447.5m). Of the $733.4 million earned during the 2006-07 financial year, $44.8 million (6.1%) derived from WA.
Expenses
Australian Performing arts operation businesses/organisations collectively incurred $682.7m in expenses during 2006–07. Labour costs were the most significant expense (37.4% of total expenses or $255.2m).
Rent, leasing and hiring accounted for 10.7% (or $72.9m) and contract payments to performers/artists and artistic support 8.4% (or $57.3m) of total expenses. Most of the $57.3m in contract payments to performers/artists and artistic support were paid to Australian residents (72.1% or $41.3m) with the remainder paid to non-residents
(27.9% or $16m).
As a proportion of total expenses, not-for-profit organisations incurred higher labour costs (46.7% or $198.9m) than for-profit businesses (21.9% or $56.3m).
For-profit businesses incurred higher rent, leasing and hiring expenses (13.2% or $33.9m), royalties (5.7% or $14.6m) and other contract, subcontract and commission expenses (6.1% or $15.8m) compared to not-for-profit organisations (9.1% or $38.9m, 2% or $8.5m and
3.7% or $15.8m respectively).
Performances and Attendances
During 2006–07, the 726 performing arts operation businesses/organisations reported 43,460 paid performances (of which 5.2% or 2,280 were performed overseas) and 12.3 million paid attendances (of which 7.3% or 899,200 were at productions performed overseas).
Drama production accounted for the largest proportion of total paid performances ( 33.1% or 14,368) followed by popular music (15.7% or 6,813) and musical theatre (13.3% or 5,799). Drama production also accounted for the largest share of paid attendances (25.7% or 3.1 million), followed by symphony and choral production (18.1% or 2.2 million) and musical theatre (16.1% or 2 million).
For further information regarding statistics that are published in the Performing Arts, Australia, 2006-07 publication, please contact the National Information Referral Service on 1300 135 070 or Sophie Vassiliou on (03) 9615 7442.
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