More money would mean fewer problems for the arts
Arts and entertainment have amused, comforted and inspired Australians during COVID-19 pandemic – but have been hit hard by lockdowns. The $222.9 million announced in the Budget for additional arts sector support is welcome, but not sustained: most is going to financially support events and productions in this and the next financial year.
The sector is a jobs-creator, but it needs government support to tell authentic Australian stories.
An additional $85.4 million for the big cultural institutions (the National Gallery of Australia, Australian National Maritime Museum, and so on) is welcome – but $79.9 million of that is for critical works and maintenance. Only $5.5 million is going to create something new: an exhibition at the Museum of Australian Democracy.
It’s not enough to patch holes and keep the physical buildings standing: we need thriving, modern institutions with new content for Australians to engage with.
Finally, the Government has set aside $28.1 million to deliver its Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Action Plan. We’re still waiting on the Action Plan itself, which is due some time this year – prompted by the report into inauthentic art and craft in the style of First Nations people.