Greens promise $270.2 million for the arts: Election focus

The Australian Greens have added the arts to their Federal election platform with a policy that will not only reverse cuts but add new investments.

Traditionally the Australian Greens have had strong support in the arts community, partly because of general progressive politics but partly because they have pushed themselves as the 'party of the arts'.

While the Arts Party, will be contesting its first Federal Election on 2nd July, the Greens arts policy promises to reverse the current Government's funding cuts to the Australia Council and invest an additional $270.2 million in the Australian arts sector.

The policy has endorsement from key arts leaders Artspeak co-convenor Tamara Winikoff and Feral Arts Executive Director Norm Horton.

Winikoff stated “having a vision for the arts in this country is something that has been sorely missing from the political agenda since the last change of government.

“NAVA congratulates the Greens on taking the lead in developing a national arts policy. It demonstrates a recognition that the community cares about having rich and diverse cultural experiences and takes pride in Australia's cultural achievements.

“We wait with interest to see whether the other parties will make a similar commitment.”

Horton added that the Greens had a record of supporting the arts, commenting “the Greens really stood up for the arts sector when it mattered.

“They have listened to what the sector needs and have come up with an outstanding policy that will both repair the damage done last year and kick start a new era for the arts in Australia.

“We are especially delighted to see the recognition of individual artists and the small to medium sector – the investment of $218.7 million over four years will support the massive level of unfunded excellence exposed in the latest round of Australia Council grant results.”

Like Labor, The Greens' have pledged to disband Catalyst and double funding for the Australia Council’s Grants and Initiatives for small to medium arts organisations and individual artists.

The Greens would also reverse the 'efficiency dividends' imposed on key cultural institutions and create a National Arts Week, an artist in residence program at Australian Parliament House, and an advocacy body for Australian authors.

Greens Arts spokesperson Adam Bandt advised “a vibrant, well-resourced and independent arts community is core to any thriving society.

“Yet instead of investing in our arts and artists, the Liberal government launched an unprecedented attack on the arts sector under former Arts Minister George Brandis.

“When George Brandis was sacked, artists and art-lovers breathed a sigh of relief, believing the attack was over. But new Arts Minister Mitch Fifield refused to undo the damage his predecessor had done, only restoring partial funding to the Australia Council and shamefully decided to rebrand, not disband, Brandis’ personal slush fund from the NPEA to Catalyst.”

Bandt said the Greens wanted to see the arts valued by the broader community, just like sports and science. He added “we rightly have a National Science Week and the Greens will invest $1 million to create a National Arts Week. This is an initiative of the Arts Party which the Greens are proud to advance.

“Australians will know that a vote for the Greens this election is a vote for a thriving arts community.”

The Greens election promises include: 

• Restoring the full amount of funding cut from the Australia Council, ensuring that more individual artists and small to medium arts organisations can access Australia Council grants and re-establishing programs that were cut;
• Providing an additional $3 million to the ArtStart program over the next four years;
• Doubling the funding (from 2013-14 levels) available for Australia Council Grants and Initiatives for small and medium organisations and individuals;
• Providing funding of $20 million over four years to pay artists when their works are publicly displayed;
• Increasing funding by $2 million per year for regional touring through Playing Australia until total funding reaches $10 million and then an indexed amount annually;
• Removing touring arts companies from the 'in Australia' rule from 1st July 2017 which would allow organisations to become tax exempt entities;
• Creating an Arts Research and Development grants program to encourage innovative arts projects with an initial funding allocation of $5 million over the next four years;
• Introducing an artist in residence program at Parliament House supported by funding of $1 million;
• Supporting national voices in the arts with a funding allocation of $1 million over the next four years;
• Providing $1 million to Tourism Australia to promote Australian art around the world and encourage visitors to engage with the arts in Australia;
• Establishing a National Arts Week by providing funding of $1 million over the next four years.

Top image courtesy of Expressions Dance Company.

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