Victorian Arts Sector Launches 'Don't Break Our Arts' Campaign Ahead of State Election
In Victoria, Australia, a grassroots initiative named Don't Break Our Arts has been initiated by artists and cultural organizations, advocating for the restoration of arts funding ahead of the state election on 28 November. The campaign, which has garnered support from entities like Theatre Network Australia and Writers Victoria, plans to engage in activities within marginal seats, culminating in a rally scheduled for early November. According to organizer Max Delany, the arts sector is facing a crisis, with funding for artists and small-to-medium organizations plummeting by 35% since 2022, leading to complete funding losses for some prominent organizations. Shadow Arts Minister David Davis condemned the government's cuts as a betrayal, as the campaign urges all candidates to pledge support for arts funding, highlighting its essential role in communities.
Key facts
- Don't Break Our Arts campaign launched by Victorian artists and cultural organisations to restore arts funding and secure new investment ahead of the 28 November state election.
- Backed by peak bodies and unions including Writers Victoria, Theatre Network Australia, National Association for the Visual Arts, Public Galleries Association of Victoria and Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance.
- Campaign actions planned in marginal seats such as Footscray, Northcote, Albert Park and Preston, plus regional Macedon, with a rally in early November.
- Organiser Max Delany, former director of the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art, states the arts in Victoria are in crisis with funding slashed to artists and the small-to-medium sector.
- Budget analysis by Monash University lecturer Dr Ben Eltham claims a 35% real-terms decline in Victorian Government funding for artists and small-to-medium cultural organisations since 2022.
- Organisations including Abbotsford Convent, Writers Victoria and the Australian Print Workshop have had arts funding completely eliminated.
- Shadow Arts Minister David Davis MP called the Allan Labor Government's defunding of arts organisations 'a betrayal' and urged Creative Industries Minister Vicki Ward MP to reverse cuts.
- MEAA Equity President Ursula Searle and T Projects Director Victoria Jones are among supporters calling for renewed cultural investment.
Entities
Artists
- Max Delany
- Ben Eltham
- David Davis
- Vicki Ward
- Ursula Searle
- Victoria Jones
- Alannah Sue
- Emma-Kate Wilson
- Bob Brown
Institutions
- Writers Victoria
- Theatre Network Australia
- National Association for the Visual Arts
- Public Galleries Association of Victoria
- Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance
- Australian Centre for Contemporary Art
- Monash University
- Abbotsford Convent
- Australian Print Workshop
- ArtsHub
- Creative Victoria
- Victorian Government
- Allan Labor Government
- T Projects
- Equity
- Time Out Sydney
- Creative Hubs Group
- ScreenHub
- Bob Brown Foundation
- The Conversation
Locations
- Victoria
- Australia
- Melbourne
- Footscray
- Northcote
- Albert Park
- Preston
- Macedon
- Tasmania
- Sydney
- Queensland