In response to Federal Arts Minister George Brandis' decision to cut more than $100 million of funding to the arts in the 2015 budget, Sydney's Urban Theatre Projects are hosting a national call for action this Friday, 22 May.
Urban Theatre Projects are calling on all art lovers, artists and workers in the arts industry to come together – in the form of a mass, dance gathering across eight cities – to perform The Fondue Set's 'Hoofer Dance' at selected locations at 1.30pm EST. “Come as you are, from the studio, rehearsal room, theatre, classroom, home, office etc. Even if you don't want to dance, come to show solidarity for the arts” in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane, Hobart, Darwin and Perth.
Senator Brandis announced in the budget $105 million would be diverted away from the Australia Council – the federal government's art funding and advisory body – towards a new National Programme for Excellence in the Arts “with an emphasis on attracting private-sector support”.
The Australia Council exists to provide an independent system of funding to the arts, separate to the ministry; the new proposals could allow arts ministers to potentially become the sole arbiters of artistic expression in Australia. Critics raise concerns the decision could lead to funding being given only towards 'safer' and less-controversial choices within the arts.
Australians For Artistic Freedom Open Letter To George Brandis
"We oppose the dramatic funding cuts to the arts announced in the recent federal budget, including shifting more than $100 million away from The Australia Council.
The reason the Australia Council exists is to ensure a peer-reviewed, independent system of funding to the arts. This independence is vital to protecting democratic freedom of expression. Individual Arts Ministers should not be the exclusive arbiter of artistic expression.
We call on the Federal Government and Minister for the Arts George Brandis to reverse all proposed cuts to the arts sector and to support a vibrant and independent arts sector in Australia."
The reason the Australia Council exists is to ensure a peer-reviewed, independent system of funding to the arts. This independence is vital to protecting democratic freedom of expression. Individual Arts Ministers should not be the exclusive arbiter of artistic expression.
We call on the Federal Government and Minister for the Arts George Brandis to reverse all proposed cuts to the arts sector and to support a vibrant and independent arts sector in Australia."
Read the open letter in full here.
