Arts funding must be for all, not only for established arts say Greens

“The effect of this de-funding will be that arts funding in NSW will now be focused on the flagships of Australian arts funding such as Opera Australia, Sydney Theatre Company, Sydney Symphony Orchestra and their like. While these are wonderful and important institutions, they interact with only a very small segment of our community,” said Sylvia Hale, Greens MLC and spokesperson for the Arts.

“With the withdrawal of this funding the NSW Government is reneging on its 2006/07 agreement with Federal arts funding body, The Australia Council, to support community based arts programs in NSW. The loss of funding from Arts NSW means the automatic loss of funding from The Australia Council.

“I understand Arts Minister Virginia Judge has refused invitations to meet with CCD NSW. I hope the Minister will meet with CCD NSW so that she may gain a genuine understanding of the role and important work CCD NSW plays in our community.

“Community Cultural Development NSW works with a range of stakeholders to advance social change through the arts, and in particular bring art practitioners together with the community to improve engagement in disadvantaged communities and with disadvantaged groups.

“ I understand that recently CCD NSW has been working with Juvenile Justice to involve artists who can bring less formal but practical arts programs that can assist in developing positive outcomes for young people in the juvenile justice system.

“CCD also links up and promotes sharing of artistic ideas such as community based interaction that involves people of the Sutherland Shire with those in the Bankstown area following the Cronulla riots through story telling and developing plays.

“It is important that arts funding engages everyone in the broader NSW community, and that it allows us to be not simply consumers but to be participants in creating our own culture.

“The culture of the past is important and relevant, but it is only renewed and invigorated by constant engagement with new generations and new voices.

“The long slow decline of funding of community cultural organisations will be close to complete with the end of funding to CCD NSW. With the end of that organisation, we may well see that a new generation of voices from Sydney’s suburbs, from our regional cities and towns and from non-European voices is stifled. That would truly be a great loss for our community, and for our ability to develop a cohesive society”, said Ms Hale.

 Further information: Colin Hesse on 9230 3030 or 0401 719 124