The ACT's art sector needs greater promotion to cement the capital's reputation as an arts hub and a "force to be reckoned with" in the industry, the government's latest art policy says.
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But the operations and impact of ArtsACT, the body charged with the task, "require clarification" so its resources are best used.
The policy review will be released on Tuesday along with an overview of the sector's economic impact, after a consultation period where feedback from more than 300 individuals and organisations was received.
ArtsACT director David Whitney said the ACT's policy had participation and access to the arts as a key principle, unlike other jurisdictions which placed the greatest focus on artistic excellence, the ACT's secondary aim.
"It doesn't matter if it's an international artist working at the glassworks, members of the public can see somebody at work and also do an entry level class," he said.
"Many other arts policies start with the premise of the 'pursuit of excellence' - we don't shy away from that … This isn't coming from a position of feeling inferior."
Engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists was singled out as a weakness, with the policy saying ArtsACT had "a lot to learn and a long way to come" to support the community.
Mr Whitney said in one instance ArtsACT had been unaware of an active group of young Indigenous writers working through a Facebook page.
"That was a bit of a wake up call for us, we need to find a way to try and engage with this important part of our cultural history," he said.
"We knew some of the visual artists, some of the Aboriginal dance artists, but we didn't know the others."
While the policy calls for greater promotion of the arts "within and outside" the ACT's borders, it makes it clear the ACT Arts Fund should only support "Canberra-based arts practice".
Mr Whitney said ArtsACT was not concerned about ACT money being funnelled into projects over the border, but said it was an issue raised by some ACT arts organisations.
He said artists who lived in NSW and practised in the ACT often successfully applied for its arts funding, but he acknowledged the phenomenon was not a luxury afforded to ACT artists who sought funds from NSW.
While the policy acknowledges attendance and participation rates, employment levels, and artistic achievements as quantitative ways of measuring success, it calls for a more holistic approach to "paint a full picture" with
Greater collaboration between government agencies dealing with the arts was a "significant shift" of the new policy which also aimed to be free of "arts speak", Mr Whitney said.
Arts Minister Joy Burch said extensive input into to the policy made her confident it was a strong reflection of the needs and wants of the ACT arts community.
