13 June

Arts Industry Responds to Australia Council Review

ArtsPeak, the confederation of Australian peak arts organisations, has responded to the recommendations of the Australia Council Review Report with a mix of enthusiasm and serious criticism and concern.

Members of ArtsPeak lodged submissions by the deadline last Friday, strongly supporting the report’s recommendations for removal of the imposition of an efficiency dividend on the Council and the allocation of new government funding for "unfunded excellence". However, ArtsPeak members call for a much larger commitment than the recommended $21.25 million. The case is strong, in particular, for a substantial increase in funding going to artists and to fragile small to medium arts organisations in all mediums. If Australia is to come close to Canada or New Zealand in allocation of the % of GDP going to arts support, it would have to at least double the current level of funding.

Read the ArtsPeak media release here