NO-ONE likes a critic…especially in the arts.
Shauna Mayben writes about the lack of funding for promotion of the arts and artists in Tasmania.
Tasmania prides itself on its rich, diverse and innovative art, craft and design. Countless art festivals and the development of MONA are testament to this, yet there is a distinct lack of coverage in the local media and online press of Tasmanian arts and emerging artists.
So what’s going on?
Is it not important to promote local Tasmanian artists and events, through articles and reviews circulating through local and online media?
Apparently Arts Tasmania doesn’t think so. The decision to cut funding to Edge Radio’s original, and certainly one of a kind New Media Arts Initiative after its first year, shows the future for new media opportunities within the Tasmanian arts is bleak.
Edge Radio is a not for profit community based arts organisation, striving to enrich the Tasmanian cultural fabric by providing media opportunities and access to the arts community through the New Media Arts Initiative.
The purpose of the New Media Arts Initiative is to interview, review, document and promote emerging Tasmanian artists through online podcasts, articles and editorial commentary published in local media, as well as daily radio ‘culture guide’ updates that covers exhibitions, productions and opportunities within the arts.
HERE: and
HERE: (look for Culture Guide)
The New Media Arts Initiative allows easy, accessible and FREE promotion for artists, events, exhibitions, and opportunities within the arts, crafts and design industries. This project gives opportunities to emerging artists to easily access the media to promote themselves and their work to audiences in Tasmania, Australia and the world – possibilities that can normally seem daunting to emerging artists.
With the growth of the internet and on demand content such as online podcasts, articles and up to the minute news reports, it seems a project like this is even more essential, in today’s constantly connected culture.
I know this because I have been working as a volunteer for three years at Edge Radio 99.3fm, on the flagship arts program “Arts on the Edge” www.myspace.com/artsonedge HERE: – a grass roots radio show critiquing the arts in Tasmania. The program receives continually overwhelming positive feedback and support from artists, galleries and individuals. The need for exposure of local arts was, and still is, obvious. Clyde Selby’s half a column once a week in The Mercury is not sufficient, barely being able to scrape the surface of the vibrant Tasmanian arts community, and not reaching audiences outside of Hobart, let alone the state.
So why are we going backwards, rather than forwards? Once the funding dries up, a modest $10,178, who will document and promote emerging artists, galleries and events? We cannot keep relying on the generosity of volunteers like myself.
Our thriving arts community deserves to be promoted, and should be seen in more magazines, books and online content in as many forms as possible.
Cutting the funding to this project will disappoint countless private and public galleries, not to mention the many hundreds of talented artists, all of which rely on the generous support and coverage of their exhibitions and events.
I am sure this disappointment will be expressed by countless individuals who contact me, asking for recordings of the show, promotional opportunities through the online media and weekly broadcasting of the culture guide. As well as the numerous listeners who enjoy the podcasts, articles and culture guide updates.
It goes without saying that art, craft and design contribute to the Tasmanian economy, enriching this state through tourism, public programs, education and general social well being.
The New Media Arts Initiative is a great way of promoting and documenting the rich artistic landscape of Tasmania. It truly is a great shame if another great initiative is cut off in its infancy due to decreasing funding.
While we are fortunate to have the unwavering support of local business T42, in helping to promote local exhibitions on a monthly basis, we feel that with the impending installation of the National Broadband Network and further technological advances, the Tasmania Government should show more foresight by investing in new media content that displays their commitment to local arts and culture.
If you would like to support the continuation of Edge Radio’s New Media Arts Initiative through a call to reinstate this crucial funding, please sign the online petition at: HERE:
