This was published 5 years ago
What is it about Australians that leads us to chronically undervalue our arts and culture? It has not always been so, but in recent decades, we have seen diminishing funding, dwindling federal and state support, a slackening of interest among our decision makers, and a sense almost of apathy about one of the most vital sectors of our society and economy.
The most recent funding cuts began in Joe Hockey’s first budget of 2014, and have continued to the point where, in real terms, Australia Council funding has now declined by nearly 20 per cent from 2013.
Even that miserable amount is largely taken up – as mandated – by the flagship companies such as Opera Australia or the Australian Ballet. With three-fifths thus allocated, there is precious little left for the local companies or individual artists. These are the seed-beds of our creative life; the people who go on to…