Testdrive the Arts

[vickibonet]

media release


Thursday, 26 February, 2009

Test drive the arts - free tickets for first timers

Victorians have been invited to take the arts for a spin with thousands of free tickets available for first timers, through the Brumby Government’s new Test Drive the Arts program.

Arts Minister Lynne Kosky said Test Drive the Arts was designed to encourage more Victorians to experience the state’s vibrant performing arts events.

“The Brumby Government is taking action to ensure Victoria continues to be the home to some of the country’s most well respected and exciting artists and arts companies, and hosts a jam-packed calendar of arts events,” Ms Kosky said.

“Test Drive the Arts gives Victorians a great ‘risk-free’ opportunity to try something new and experience these events themselves.”

Twenty six of Victoria’s leading performing arts organisations and venues have joined the Arts Victoria program from national and Victorian icons, Circus Oz, the Australian Ballet, Opera Australia, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Melbourne Theatre Company to smaller cult favourites like La Mama and fortyfivedownstairs.

“Between them these organisations are offering around 2500 free tickets valued at more than $100,000 to the Victorian public,” Ms Kosky said.

“And with more than 100 different shows on offer, including a wide range of theatre, music, dance, circus, cabaret, opera and more, there’s plenty to choose from, with more performances being added all the time.”

Ms Kosky said Test Drive the Arts was part of the Brumby Government’s commitment to developing the local arts scene and ensuring that all Victorians have the opportunity to experience the arts.

“This is a great new program that opens up access to the arts, encourages people to try something new, and supports our fantastic local arts companies to reach out to new audiences,” she said.

“All you do is register as a Test Driver on-line and select the performance you are interested in. If you are successful, you will be posted two tickets to enjoy a night at the theatre as our guests. It’s the ultimate way to try before you buy.”

All Victorian residents aged 18 and over are eligible to register on-line for Test Drive the Arts. Tickets are available for first timers and those who have not been to the venue or to a performance by the company during the past three years. Each Test Driver receives two free tickets. Tickets are limited.

For more information or to register for free tickets (from Thursday 26 February) – visit the Test Drive the Arts website at www.arts.vic.gov.au/testdrive

A full list of the participating companies is attached.

Test Drive Participating Companies and Venues
• the Arts Centre
• Arts Centre, Warragul
• The Australian Ballet
• The Capital, Bendigo
• Circus Oz
• Colac Otway Performing Arts Centre (COPACC)
• Courthouse Youth Arts centre
• Drum Theatre
• fortyfivedownstairs
• Frankston Arts Centre
• Gasworks Arts Park
• Geelong Performing Arts Centre
• Glenelg Shire Council, Portland Arts Centre
• Her Majesty’s Theatre, Ballarat
• Hothouse Theatre
• La Mama Theatre
• Malthouse
• Melbourne Recital Centre
• Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
• Melbourne Theatre Company
• Opera Australia/Oz Opera
• Plenty Ranges Arts & Convention Centre
• Riverlinks East Bank Centre, Shepparton
• Theatreworks
• Victorian Opera
• Wyndham Cultural Centre

[trumpetguy]

Am I being cynical in thinking that this will be subsidised by the musicians and other performers not being paid their full fee (the nature of door deals, etc at venues such as La Mama and others) for this? If so, perhaps the Brumby gov could consider a pool of money to go to these events to cover loss of income by the poor stiffs at the end of the line (us).

[vickibonet]

maybe but then you could always ask someone in the AAO.

[andrewh]

Feb 26, 2009 14:25:19 GMT 10 trumpetguy said:

Am I being cynical in thinking that this will be subsidised by the musicians and other performers not being paid their full fee (the nature of door deals, etc at venues such as La Mama and others) for this? If so, perhaps the Brumby gov could consider a pool of money to go to these events to cover loss of income by the poor stiffs at the end of the line (us).

Yes I think you are. My guess (I haven't researched it) is that these organisations are part of this programme because they are in direct receipt of Victorian government funding - so, the pool of money has already been paid. I doubt that any single seat will be given away that would otherwise have been sold. This is simply a form of papering, which goes on in every arts organisation anyway, except it's being used to try to get new people in who might (might!) be inspired to buy another ticket at a later date. It is an experiment, to be sure, but it might just increase the paying audience down the track. Anyway, free tickets are given away to every performance, everywhere, door deal or not. There is a small coterie of people in this town (I mean Melbourne) who never pay to attend jazz gigs at Bennetts Lane or elsewhere, and no-one kicks up a fuss about that loss to their income because maybe (maybe!) it will get them a review or a festival gig. Better, surely, that the free seats to these particular state-sponsored organisations gets shared between the people who, willing or not, end up paying their subsidy.