21-08-2011AICV representatives meet with Federal Arts Minister Simon Crean

AICV representatives have met with Federal Arts Minister Simon Crean in Canberra as members of an arts delegation being briefed on the development of the National Cultural Policy.

The hour long meeting, also attended by Senator Kate Lundy, included discussions around themes of “mainstreaming” the arts, the impact of technology, career pathways for artists and the positioning of Australia’s arts and culture in the international arena.

A number of challenges were identified going forward and three resourcing issues were raised by the delegation: the continuing impact of the efficiency dividend; the need to adequately fund tertiary arts education; and a proposal to introduce a 1% levy on the National Broadband Network to assist in funding content development.

The Minister spoke to the role of the arts in building social capacity, especially the role of the arts in Indigenous communities, while also emphasising the role of the arts in education and the economy. He spoke to the roll out of the National Broadband Network and reviews associated with the development of the National Cultural Policy including the Creative Industries Strategy, the Major Performing Arts Review and the Convergence Review.

As well as agreeing on common themes, peak bodies attending the meeting also plan to develop individual submissions to the National Cultural Policy Discussion Paper representing their respective sectors.

To read more about the National Cultural Policy Discussion Paper, please click here.