Dear fellow artists and art lovers
Canberra has always been a city that values art and
artists, in all they do to enrich the Canberra region and community.
In December 2016 the ACT Government made an un-announced,
unprecedented 66% drop in funding to Project Funding in the ACT Arts budget for
2017. This is deeply worrying to many Canberra artists, and i n
response to a letter co-signed by over 160 of Canberra’s leading artists, the
incoming Arts Minister Gordon Ramsay announced that an additional $230,000 of
funding will now be distributed for 2017 Projects. This was very welcome,
however it is still only 65% of previous years' funding.
The Arts sector has come together to form the Canberra
Arts Action Group to ensure that this doesn't happen again. The Group also
calls for a need for greater transparency and consultation with the ACT Arts
Community for the benefit of all. A five point petition will be put to the
Legislative Assembly calling for this change. If you wish to support our local
artists, and believe that art should be an important and valued part of our
community, please sign it. The petition can be found at www.canberraplusarts.com.
There will also be a very short media event, in which I
will take part, to acknowledge the vibrancy and benefits that art brings to
Canberra. It will take place outside the ACT Legislative Assembly on Weds
March 29th at 12.30 pm. It would be fantastic if you could be there to
add your support.
Please pass this information to any in your circles who are
patrons, practitioners or lovers of art. It would be great if we could all stand
up to be counted.
This message was received from for Canberra Artist of the Year, Louise Page, and published for the information of Canberra Critics Circle members by Bill Stephens.