Circus Oz unimpressed by Australian Government's planned National Program for Excellence in the Arts

One of Australia’s flagship government-funded arts companies, Circus Oz, has weighed into the growing anger in the arts industry surrounding Federal Arts Minister George Brandis’ announcement that $104.7 million was being removed from the Australia Council to finance a new National Program for Excellence in the Arts - to be administered by his own ministry.

The Melbourne based company -one of the 28 major performing arts companies not affected by the changes - says that, as a result of the funding change, it has “significant concerns about the broad potential impact of this decision on the fragile and symbiotic ecosystem of arts in Australia”.

A statement released by Circus Oz explains:

“Our funding is not directly affected by this recent announcement. However, Circus Oz is also an active member of the vibrant, yet delicate arts ecosystem. Changes to any part of this ecology can have dramatic affects on all artists creating work for the audiences of Australia.

“We know, for example, that the success of Circus Oz is built on the incredibly vibrant work of all the individual artists, independent, small and medium companies that are eligible for the funding that has been moved. These artists form the creative understory of each sector, be it circus, theatre, music, dance or opera, and as a major organization we feel to not acknowledge this would be conceited and disrespectful. Therefore, Circus Oz will continue to advocate for, work with, and support the independent sector, building conversations and bridges.

“In partnership with both sides of politics, the Australia Council has worked over many years to establish a rigorous, fair and economical process for artists to seek support for their work. Whilst no system is ever perfect, this decision-making framework has at its core transparent and efficient access for artists and their audiences. The Australia Council processes are built around artists’ individual planning timelines and requirements - be they large or small organisations or individual artists - across a variety of art practices and from a broad diversity of backgrounds.

“There are also expert voices within the Ministry for the Arts, well experienced with the establishment of appropriate processes for distribution of taxpayer funds. However, this new program will likely duplicate systems for funding bodies and artists, increasing red tape. This will absorb valuable time and resources that could otherwise be devoted to the creation of the art.

“Unfortunately, the impact on the delicate ecology is likely to be more substantial than just this likely duplication. First, the Australia Council has signalled that emerging artists will be directly affected by programs being cut due to the imposed efficiency dividend on their operations - ArtStart, Capacity Building and Artists in Residence.

“With much of the small and medium sector artists also awaiting the outcome of funding Expressions of Interest, the removal of $104.7 million of project funding from the Australia Council at this moment is deeply destabilising and could have an immediate impact on their survival.

“In the longer term, the viability of all parts of the ecosystem will be dependent on an ongoing commitment to efficient funding mechanisms for artists of all sizes, backgrounds and artforms. Only through this will Australia audiences continue to reap the benefits that come from a flourishing, diverse and healthy arts community.”

13th May 2015 - FEDERAL BUDGET TAKES $100 MILLION FROM AUSTRALIA COUNCIL TO ESTABLISH ARTS EXCELLENCE PROGRAM

2nd April 2015 - CIRCUS OZ ARTISTIC DIRECTOR STEPS DOWN AFTER 17 YEARS