The Greens, ALP release arts and culture policies

As we move into the last few days of the Federal Election, both The Greens and Australian Labor have released arts and culture focused policies.

The Greens

The Greens were the first to go public with their position which can be read in detail here.

Key measures announced include moves to:

  • prioritise and safeguard public funding for our national artistic and cultural institutions.
  • support and adequately resource the Australia Council as the principal independent body for policy development and administration of arts grants programs.
  • increase funding incentives for artists and arts events to tour and/or establish in rural and regional areas.
  • reinstate the Community Cultural Development program as a discrete funding program in the Australia Council.
  • support the expansion of the Commonwealth Art Bank – Art Rental program with a focus on emerging artists.
  • sign and ratify the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage 2003.
  • ensure that any trade agreement or other international instrument does not adversely affect Australian artists and cultural expression.
  • introduce legislation to protect intellectual and artistic property rights.
  • ensure that the national arts resale royalty program applies to all existing art works.
  • introduce a fixed term income support scheme for emerging artists.
  • enable emerging artists to access small business start-up grants and schemes.
  • provide federal funding to local and state governments to purchase venues for permanent community arts and cultural groups and organisations.

Read more at http://greens.org.au.

Australian Labor

Meanwhile, Labor released its policy position dubbed “Investing in a Creative Australia” earlier this week.

The complete policy outline is available here.

In announcing its position, the ALP said a Labor Government…

    “…will provide $10 million for the Australia Council to invest in up to 150 new artistic works, presentations and fellowships.

    This new funding will ensure the Australia Council can focus on priority areas including: support for young and emerging artists, the creation of new Australian work (across all art forms) and assist artists in building more sustainable careers.

    A Gillard Labor Government will also transfer a number of programs from the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts to the Australia Council, to utilise the resources and expertise of the Australia Council to promote better outcomes for arts funding. These programs include Playing Australia, Visions of Australia, Festivals Australia, the Contemporary Music Touring program, the Regional Arts Fund and the Visual Arts and Craft Strategy.”

The ALP has also made commitments to..

  • Develop a national cultural policy.
  • Negotiate with the States to develop a new major performing arts funding model which rewards success, provides greater access for Australian audiences, promotes enhanced artistic excellence, and ensures prudent levels of accountability from major performing arts organisations.
  • Finalise a Strategic Contemporary Music Industry Plan.

Read more at http://www.alp.org.au

AMIN will provide details on any Coalition arts and culture policy when released.

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