“The policy of artistic silencing has already begun”
Van Badham explains how the Australian government’s recent decision to divert AU$100m from the Australia Council to a program administered directly by the government “is betraying an ongoing habit of interference and favouritism”.
Of all the controversial cuts and changes delivered by the Coalition in its latest budget, one which should be of serious concern to all Australians occurs in the arts budget. Until now, the politically independent Australia Council has administered grants across the entire arts sector, determined by seven panels comprised of artistic and cultural leaders.
But the Coalition’s budget proposes a serious compromise to artistic independence in this country; budget papers have announced the shocking redirect of more than $100m over four years away from the Australia Council to a “national program for excellence in the arts”, administered directly through the office of the arts minister and attorneygeneral, George Brandis.
Although the council has just completed yet another restructure, the budget will also strip a further $7.2m from its funding over the next four years. As a result Australia Council will retain an annual budget of just $185m... Keep reading on The Guardian
Of all the controversial cuts and changes delivered by the Coalition in its latest budget, one which should be of serious concern to all Australians occurs in the arts budget. Until now, the politically independent Australia Council has administered grants across the entire arts sector, determined by seven panels comprised of artistic and cultural leaders.
But the Coalition’s budget proposes a serious compromise to artistic independence in this country; budget papers have announced the shocking redirect of more than $100m over four years away from the Australia Council to a “national program for excellence in the arts”, administered directly through the office of the arts minister and attorneygeneral, George Brandis.
Although the council has just completed yet another restructure, the budget will also strip a further $7.2m from its funding over the next four years. As a result Australia Council will retain an annual budget of just $185m... Keep reading on The Guardian