We asked five experts to analyse and grade the Coalition and ALP arts and cultural policies.
Gough Whitlam delivering the 1972 election policy speech at the Blacktown Civic Centre in Sydney, 1972.
National Archives of Australia via Wikimedia Commons
Mark Harvey, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau and Molly Mullen, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
Art has value well beyond the financial, including proven health and well-being benefits. It’s time this was recognised in the way the sector is funded.
Funding for writing and publishing is not just low: it’s also declining. Ben Eltham looks at a grim federal budget for literature, in the context of ongoing neglect for written culture in Australia.
With the tapering down of COVID stimulus measures, many of Australia’s cultural institutions are facing cuts – but Australia Council funding remains steady.
Theatre was one of the worst-hit industries during the height of the pandemic, but the need to adapt may have set an exciting groundwork for the future.
Thinktank A New Approach claims the federal government spent more than $4 billion supporting the arts and culture in 2020 alone. Sadly for the arts, the figure is too good to be true.
Artists are some of the poorest people in our community, and yet are prepared to forgo their limited income to support fellow artists from other countries – in this case Palestine.
Cherine Fahd, Being Together: Parramatta Yearbook, 2021-2022. Produced by C3West on behalf of the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia in partnership with Parramatta Artists’ Studios, an initiative of the City of Parramatta.
Courtesy of the artist
Three stories from Australia and the UK exploring the role of art in helping people deal with the challenges life throws at them. Listen to The Conversation Weekly podcast.
Low incomes, unpaid work and excessive workloads: Australian artists are facing a crisis.
A sculpture of chimpanzee David Greybeard unveiled in Melbourne last year, the result of a collaboration between artist Lisa Roet and the Jane Goodall Institute Global.
James Ross/AAP
Two reports — from think tank A New Approach and ex-Grattan Institute director John Daley — say Australian art and culture hasn’t advocated for itself effectively. But we need to try something new.
The Wilds at Rising Festival will be closed during Melbourne’s seven day lockdown.
Eugene Hyland/Rising
Brian Long, The University of Melbourne and Guy Morrow, The University of Melbourne
Melbourne’s snap-lockdown proves festivals are still vulnerable. If the government doesn’t provide insurance, arts organisations may decide it’s not worth the risk.
Mark Harvey, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
Investment in the arts is also an investment in economic growth, health and well-being – but arts practitioners won’t be holding their breath at budget time.
Bangarra Dance Theatre dancers Bradley Smith and Rika Hamaguchi perform during a Sydney Festival media call in January. Some festival shows were cancelled due to COVID clusters.
Dan Himbrechts/AAP
The government needs to address the whole ecosystem of the arts, increasing funding to the Australia Council so individual artists and small organisations get adequate support.
Honorary (Senior Fellow) School of Culture and Communication University of Melbourne. Editor in Chief, Design and Art of Australia Online, The University of Melbourne