rt105 – editorial
http://culture.arts.gov.au/have-your-say
The Government’s National Cultural Policy Discussion Paper appears to cover all bases: the “core” arts (or “cultural industries”), the creative industries, Indigenous arts, innovation, young artists and audiences, new technologies (including the role of the National Broadband Network), arts education in schools and a National Arts Curriculum, reviews of private sector support and of the Major Performing Arts sector, a creative industries strategy, a national design policy, a review of the National Classification scheme and more. Some of the reviews are already under way, including a Convergence review “examining the policy and regulatory frameworks that apply to the converged media and communications landscape in Australia.” There’s an overriding desire for inclusivity, “to bring the arts and creative industries into the mainstream of Australian life,” to create careers and increase innovation and productivity. There’s also a desire for a “whole-of-government” approach, not least for the creative industries and Indigenous arts. The paper’s data on the current productivity in the arts and creative industries clearly suggests that further government investment (current investment is also very clearly delineated) would be even more beneficial for the Australian economy. The Discussion Paper is nothing less than ambitious if all its goals were to be realised. Only once, I think, is a 10-year time framework mentioned. Much will depend on the outcomes of the public discussion, the stripe of the governments in power over the next decade and the strength of the National Cultural Policy itself, if it’s to be more than a motherhood statement. You can read the Discussion Paper at http://culture.arts.gov.au/ and make submissions online or by email (culturalpolicy@pmc.gov.au) until October 21. The paper is well worth reading: it warrants your contribution to a critical discussion.
RealTime issue #105 Oct-Nov 2011 pg. 2
