100 people have gathered at the Metro Arts Theatre in support of concerns raised over the Federal Government's planned efficiencies in the arts sector.
The government is not reducing funding to the arts sector, but it is hoping for to gain efficiencies though the creation of a new National Programme for Excellence in the Arts, to be managed directly by the Ministry.
The Government is redirecting $110 million over four years from the Australia Council to the Ministry for the Arts in the Attorney‑General’s Department.
Rick Chazan
The Freethearts movement is concerned a centralised bureaucracy will be unable to discern and recognise the value of grass roots and fringe arts activity and will instead disproportionately favour traditional showpiece arts activity.
Today's rallies in cities around Australia were organised by Urban Theatre Projects.
The four Queensland arts industry identities invited to speak were Todd MacDonald, Artistic Director of La Boite Theatre Company; Rick Chazan, Ground Control Music Management; Celia White, Artistic Director of Vulcana Women's Circus, and Jonathan Sri, Qld Greens Spokesperson For The Arts.
Celia White
All speakers affirmed Mr MacDonald's sentiments that there was a danger that disproportionate funding would favour vanity arts projects. He was adamant that this was not a Brandis-bashing exercise and that the way forward was to elucidate the movement's concerns and to not lose momentum in taking the message to government and to the people.
Mr Chazan spoke of his knowledge in securing funding through bureaucracies citing both negative and positive experiences. In relation to fears that government would favour traditional big ticket, showpiece arts, he said from an economics perspective contemporary arts brings four times the revenue than that of the classical streams.
Mr Sri's messaging was more reactionary and suggestive of civil unrest. In addition to his speech, he delivered an on-point rap which extended to identifying and rejecting bourgeoisie values in society.
The rally was marked with a rendition of the hoofer dance which received universal applause and impromptu crowd involvement.
Jonathan Sri
