The Chamber of Arts and Culture Western Australia has reworked its strategic plan two years early, after a year filled with turbulent change.
The state’s representative body for arts and culture has scrapped its strategic plan two years early in favour of a new plan and released an optimistic financial report.
Earlier this year, Business News revealed the Chamber of Arts and Culture WA’s troubles began when it realised it was facing funding uncertainty that could lead to its collapse.
Instead of winding up, CACWA decided to remain as an advocacy-only, establishing its new financial model in October.
Alongside the model, the chamber also announced further changes to its structure at the Annual General Meeting.
CACWA general manager Lauren Brunswick had resigned after three months in the role and Ann Tonks was appointed as acting executive director to replace her.
Kelly Reid was also welcomed as operations manager.
Meanwhile, chamber deputy chair and West Australian Ballet chair Ingrid Puzey left the board, alongside Libby Klysz.
Circus WA’s Jo Smith, Pearl Proud and Geoff Buchan were elected in their stead.
Since March, CACWA has also said goodbye to its chief executive Tania Hudson and reduced full-time staff from three to one.
New strategic plan
In its last newsletter of the year yesterday, the chamber announced its new four-year plan, donned Strategic Plan 2026/27-2029/2030.
The new strategy will replace its former Strategic Business Plan 2024 – 2028.
“A review of our operating model in 2023 led to an ambitious plan with a broad scope and corresponding resourcing, underpinned by aspirational revenue targets,” the chamber said.
“However, resources were insufficient for the chamber to fully implement the model.
“It was unable to substantially expand operations or revenue sources and progress stalled.
“Going forward, it is clear that financial sustainability rests on minimum viable funding of our core operating costs from our members and government.”
The new plan envisions the chamber will “generate surpluses from value-adding activities, such as conferences, sector events, research projects etc, contributing to those core costs”.
It said CACWA would gain funding through grants, philanthropy and corporate sponsorship, which are revenue streams the chamber has struggled with in the past.
The plan’s three goals consist of creating a ‘valued sector’ through advocacy, a ‘strong sector’ through connections and measuring tools, and ‘sustainable representation’ through building on diversified revenue sources.
"We produced a robust document within a tight budget," CACWA chair Fiona Sinclair told Business News in a statement.
"We benefited greatly from the generosity of all participants.
"We have submitted an application for Strategic Initiatives investment from Creative Industries and are awaiting an outcome, expected early in the new year.
"Securing that support is critical to the viability of the plan."
Optimistic financials
The chamber’s recent 2025 annual report was overtly positive with little to no mention of the tumultuous year which almost resulted in it calling time.
“This year, the chamber has maintained a strong financial position while focusing on stabilising operations and strengthening governance,” it read.
“As at 30 June 2025, the company had net current assets of $78,233 (FY24: $106,827) and experienced net cash inflows from operating activities of $151,666 (FY24: inflows $370,318).
“The ability of the company to repay its debts when they are due, whilst continuing its planned operations and performance activities, is dependent on the continuing support of its existing funders and new funding in 2025-26.
“In the directors’ opinion there is a reasonable expectation that adequate funding will become available when necessary, otherwise the company will reduce its operating activities accordingly.
“Whilst there are inherent risks in forecasting funding, management have demonstrated their ability to pivot and adjust their programme to minimise losses.”
The financial report for the year ending June 30 2025 recorded total revenue to have reached $765,078, an increase from the year before.
It does not specify where this revenue came from.
In the 2024 financial year, the chamber reported a surplus of $7,648 and this year, recorded a loss of $28,594.
The consideration of collapse in March was due to uncertainty around future funding as its funding lifeline from the state government was set to run out at the end of this year.
The government has not allocated any further funding, after investing $800,000 in the chamber over the past two years.
According to the chamber’s website, Greg Apps has been appointed treasurer.
Mr Apps was also treasurer of now closed Propel Youth Arts, and worked as an accountant and finance manager of Perth Festival for seven years.
CACWA is in the process of looking for two executive directors, with a budget for 1.6 additional full-time employees in 2026 depending on funding.
"We've received a strong pool of high calibre applications for the executive director role," Ms Sinclair said.
"The response has been a clear validation of the value of the chamber to the sector.
"We're now in the fortunate position of being been spoilt for choice.
"We will announce the outcome early in the new year, once funding has been secured."
Rick Heath, Paul Neilson, Suzanne Worner have remained sitting on the board from the start of the 2026 financial year.
