SA performers demand work

By Melanie Sjoberg

ADELAIDE — The difficulties of life as a performing artist will be highlighted in a South Australia campaign by the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA). In a submission to the state government's Arts Taskforce, it calls for improved work opportunities for performers in the state.

MEAA branch secretary Stephen Spence told Green Left Weekly, "The state government has an arts budget of over $70million, yet many SA performers find work opportunities are at an all time low. Another wave of performers is leaving for the eastern states because of lack of jobs."

There was only one SA company performing at the recent Adelaide Festival, with most SA groups having to promote their own products in the "Fringe". The festival is funded by both state government and private enterprise, which enables it to produce the glossy, high profile publicity necessary to attract crowds.

According to Spence, "The average Australian performer only earns between $10,000 and $14,000 a year, and according to our own estimates she or he is unemployed 75-95% of the year. In South Australia the situation in both jobs and income is worse than the national average, and something simply must be done."

The performers section of the union has endorsed a campaign which includes lobbying the government, linking up with the United Trades and Labour Council for a cabaret and raising the issue during the forthcoming by-election in Torrens.

Stephen Spence will compere the Adelaide May Day Cabaret, which features the Trade Union Choir, Weird Mechanicals with Eileen Darley, the Schmaltzarellas and Buckleys Chance. It will be held at the Lion Theatre Bar on Saturday, April 30, at 7.30pm.

From GLW issue 139