The National Aboriginal Art Gallery in Mparntwe (Alice Springs) will bring an additional 53,000 visitors each year, deliver up to $64 million into the economy and generate up to 245 local jobs, according to an independent business case into the project released today.
Prepared by Ernst and Young (EY), the business case is based on the development of a CBD-based national institution and finds that it will deliver significant social, cultural and economic benefit to Alice Springs and surrounding region. It was commissioned by the NT Government in October 2018.
The Territory Labor Government has committed an initial $50 million to the Gallery project as part of its $100 million investment in a nationally significant Arts Trail throughout the Territory to support and grow the arts and cultural industry, and provide new and enhanced attractions for national and international visitors.
According to the key economic findings of the business case, the Gallery will bring:
· an additional 53,000 visitors to Alice Springs each year, with visitation generating a further economic contribution of between $42.8 and $64.2 million and 164 to 245 jobs.
· a direct economic contribution from Gallery employment of around $13.73 million per annum and up to 69 jobs once fully operational.
· an economic contribution of between $118.6 and $142.4 million during the construction phase and up to 260 associated jobs each year over two years.
*figures represent direct and indirect output
As well as economic benefit and increased visitation, the business case also finds that the Gallery will increase local employment, particularly Aboriginal training and employment, and stimulate private investment in Alice Springs and in remote community art galleries.
It also notes that the Gallery project addresses the current absence of a national institution to celebrate Aboriginal art and culture and that Mparntwe (Alice Springs) has a strong claim to host the Gallery on historic, geographic and artistic grounds.
Quotes from Minister for Tourism, Sport and Culture, Lauren Moss:
“The independent case confirms what we have said all along: the National Aboriginal Art Gallery will deliver significant social, cultural and economic benefits to the town and the region over the long-term.
“It has the potential to be a catalyst for more private investment in the town, for greater economic returns for local business, for a revitalised CBD, for a stronger future for Arrernte people, for reconnecting young people with their culture and ensuring they are engaged in the community in a positive way.
“The Territory Labor Government is embracing the delivery of this cultural icon. We just want to get on with the job of building it.
“It is critical that all levels of Government and the community are now working together to realise this positive plan for Alice Springs.”
Quotes from Member for Braitling, Dale Wakefield MLA:
“This independent business case confirms that the delivery of a gallery of national significance is a game changer for Alice Springs as it will deliver jobs and boost the economy.
“Ernst and Young have clearly articulated why this is such an important project and the business case provides confidence to partners and stakeholders and importantly, to the Alice Springs community.
Quotes from Co-chair, National Aboriginal Art Gallery Reference Group, Dr Gerard Vaughan AM:
“As co-chair of the National Aboriginal Art Gallery Reference Group, I support the independent analysis published in the business case and look forward to building a new national institution which will celebrate our country’s Indigenous visual culture, and be able to draw on our greatest existing collections of Indigenous art.
“The National Aboriginal Art Gallery will not only function as a place for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians to see and learn about the visual culture of Australia’s First Nations peoples, but it will also serve as a major tourism drawcard, and play an important role in generating employment and broad economic benefit for Alice Springs and Central Australia.”
Quotes from Chairperson, Tourism Central Australia, Dale McIver:
“Tourism Central Australia welcomes the release of the National Aboriginal Art Gallery Strategic business case.
“The detail included by the consultants is pleasing to see and the key findings highlight the justification for the construction of the National Aboriginal Art Gallery within the CBD of Alice Springs.
“A project of this calibre that is estimated to bring in an additional 53,000 visitors per annum to Alice Springs, which celebrates our Aboriginal Art in Australia is a much needed economic shot in the arm for both the Tourism Industry and the broader community.”
A copy of the business case can be downloaded from https://creativeeconomy.nt.gov.au/about-arts-trail/national-aboriginal-art-gallery
Media contact: Lisa Sennett 0436 929 858