TASMANIAN ARTS ORGANISATIONS CONCERNED THAT GUIDELINES LEAVE THEM OUT

Senator Catryna Bilyk today met with representatives from a number of major Tasmanian Arts organisations to discuss their views on how the Government funding cuts will impact the vibrant Tasmanian Arts sector.

In the 2015-16 budget, the Abbott Government ripped $104.7m over four years away from the Australia Council, and gave it to the new National Program for Excellence in the Arts.

“The Government’s new National Program for Excellence in the Arts will direct funding that is now coming to Tasmanian small-to-medium organisations towards the major arts organisations in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra” Senator Bilyk said “This is a major concern for the Tasmanian arts sector, as the vast majority of arts practise in Tasmania is by small-to-medium organisations”.

“The Tasmanian arts sector will now be fighting a larger pool of organisations for a smaller pool of funding,” Senator Bilyk said “This will lead to a reduction in the number and diversity of art projects in Tasmania, and has already led to a number of arts organisations having to scale back their operations”.

The benefits of the arts sector stretch beyond their direct employment and cultural impact.

“The Tasmanian Art scene is an important drawcard for national and international visitors to the state,” Senator Bilyk said “Tasmania is no longer seen as just a place to come for the wilderness, but also has become a thriving cultural hub”.

“The impacts on employment go beyond the arts sector, flowing on to other industries including tourism and hospitality”.

“These changes have been rushed through without consultation, without consideration, and without an understanding of the sector,” Senator Bilyk said “It is ridiculous that draft guidelines were released just five days before the program began on 12 July 2015 and that the program will have been operating for almost a month before the guidelines have even received public comment. A competent government would have consulted with the sector before such major changes were to occur”.

The Draft Guidelines for the National Program for Excellence in the Arts are open for comment until 30 July.

“It is quite disappointing that the Government has overturned the principle of ‘hands-off’ arts funding , to give Minister Brandis a $105m arts slush fund,” Senator Bilyk said

“It’s even more concerning given that Minister Brandis does not seem to understand, or care, about the potential impacts these changes will have on the Arts in Tasmania.”

“If it isn’t performed or displayed in Sydney, Melbourne or Canberra, Minister Brandis just doesn’t care”, Senator Bilyk said.
SENATOR CATRYNA BILYK DEPUTY OPPOSITION WHIP IN THE SENATE SENATOR FOR TASMANIA