With the tapering down of COVID stimulus measures, many of Australia’s cultural institutions are facing cuts – but Australia Council funding remains steady.
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.
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 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.
For a woman with brightly coloured hair and enormous earrings, Art Works host Namila Benson is adept at fading into the background and letting the artists do the talking.
Arts Minister Paul Fletcher has taken aim at what he calls a ‘cosy club’ of arts elites. But his claim of ‘unprecedented’ arts funding and a push for greater fairness don’t add up.
We interviewed Victorians working — or not working — in the arts during the pandemic lockdown to learn about their mental health. We found they are struggling.
After seven months of waiting for a support package, artists can finally apply for funding. But with ministerial sign-off, the guidelines don’t instil hope.
Honorary (Senior Fellow) School of Culture and Communication University of Melbourne. Editor in Chief, Design and Art of Australia Online, The University of Melbourne