Sculpture by the Sea, the renowned outdoor art exhibition, is at risk of cancellation due to a significant budget deficit. Organizers have issued an urgent public appeal for funds, needing an additional $200,000 within two weeks to ensure the event proceeds. The exhibition, a major cultural attraction, is scheduled to open on October 17 along the iconic Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk in Sydney.
Key Takeaways
- Sculpture by the Sea requires $200,000 in two weeks to avoid cancellation.
- The annual event, set for October 17, previously received $1 million in government funding, now reduced to zero.
- Organizers attribute the shortfall to a lack of federal government support and a low rating in a 2023 funding application.
- Artists have invested an average of $15,000 per artwork and face uncertainty.
- Around 450,000 people visit the free exhibition each year.
Funding Crisis Threatens Major Art Event
The annual Sculpture by the Sea exhibition, a staple of Sydney's cultural calendar, is in jeopardy. The not-for-profit organization behind the event needs to raise $200,000 urgently. Without these funds, the exhibition, which attracts an estimated 450,000 visitors annually, may not be able to proceed as planned.
The event relies on a combination of sponsorships, donations, and government funding. However, federal government funding, which stood at $1 million in 2023, has ceased for 2024. This change has left organizers dependent on private support for this year's exhibition.
Exhibition Snapshot
- Location: Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk, Sydney
- Estimated Visitors: 450,000 annually
- Cost to Stage: Approximately $3 million
- Artist Investment: Average $15,000 per artwork
- Previous Federal Funding (2023): $1 million
- Current Federal Funding (2024): Zero
Organizers Point to Creative Australia for Funding Gap
David Handley, the founder of Sculpture by the Sea, has directly addressed the public for financial assistance. He stated that the organization was unable to secure funding from the federal government this year. Handley specifically mentioned Creative Australia, the government's primary arts funding body, as the source of the shortfall.
According to Handley, Sculpture by the Sea applied for funding from Creative Australia in 2023. The application received a low rating, placing it in the bottom third of national applicants. This outcome resulted in the loss of $1 million in funding for 2024.
"This exhibition cost $3 million to put on and we've actually cut out costs by $200,000 from last year. We're understaffed, under resourced," Mr Handley said. "It cost $800,000 just to put the sculptures in. There's 60 contractors who come here to help put the exhibition together and another 20-plus temporary staff."
Creative Australia's Role
Creative Australia is the Australian government's principal arts investment and advisory body. It provides funding across various art forms through competitive application processes. Organizations must apply for funding, as it does not automatically renew.
Creative Australia Responds to Funding Claims
The office of Federal Arts Minister Tony Burke referred inquiries regarding the funding situation to Creative Australia. A spokesperson for Creative Australia stated that organizers for Sculpture by the Sea had not submitted an application for funding, including through their recent arts project investments for organizations program.
The spokesperson clarified, "Creative Australia provides a range of avenues for investment, including both multi-year and arts projects investment. Funding does not automatically renew at the end of a funding cycle. To be considered for funding, organizations must apply for funding through an open and competitive process."
Mr. Handley acknowledges that smaller grant applications have been open. However, he emphasized that these smaller sums are not sufficient to support the large scale of the Sculpture by the Sea exhibition.
Artists Face Uncertainty and Financial Strain
The potential cancellation creates significant stress for the artists involved. On average, artists spend $15,000 on each artwork. This cost covers materials, transportation, and installation expenses. Many artists have been working on their pieces since May, expecting the exhibition to proceed.
Kasane Low, an artist planning to exhibit this year, expressed her concern. She is currently hand-making 500 porcelain fortune cookies for her installation. The uncertainty has added considerable stress to her preparations.
"To hear the news is just absolutely devastating for myself and the other 100 artists that will be in the show, who I know have been working tirelessly as I have since May, to make our works for the exhibition," Low said.
John Petrie, the winner of the 2023 Sculpture by the Sea, has been involved since the exhibition's first year in 1997. He highlighted the significant investment artists make.
"It's an investment on many levels [for artists]; emotional investment, financial investment, stress management, and time. It takes up most of the year," Petrie said. "If it doesn't go ahead, well that's all for nothing."
Niharika Hukku, who is set for her third time showing work at the event, described the exhibition as a unique platform.
"Being a part of sculpture by the sea, it really made me flex because it's very site-specific. The show encourages you to go big and to express yourself," she said. Ms Hukku called the show "diverse" and "culturally rich," noting it provides "an opportunity for everyone to enjoy art at a place like this… and it's free."
The exhibition's future now depends on the success of this urgent public fundraising appeal. Organizers hope to secure the necessary funds to install the sculptures by mid-October and ensure the free public event can continue.