ArtsPeak, the national coalition of arts bodies of which AICV is a member, has written to Minister Simon Crean in relation to the recent meeting of Arts and Cultural Ministers, urging an increase in funding for the small to medium arts sector.

The AICV welcomes the development of the National Cultural Policy. The development of the Policy has served to initiate numerous conversations across Australia about our arts and culture, reflecting where we have come from, where we are now and engaging our imaginations in Australia’s possible futures. The development of the National Cultural Policy is an opportunity to develop an alternate vision for our future as we struggle with the onset of global warming and expediential population growth, technological change, a growing divide between the haves and have nots, and the effects of disasters both natural and man-made. The National Cultural Policy presents an opportunity to engage differently in our future, to ensure that culture, as an expression of our societies’ values and beliefs, is invested in to bring about meaningful change in the way we do things.

AICV, as a member of the national ArtsPeak coalition, endorsed the attached submission to the Office of the Arts' National Cultural Policy consultation 2011. The ArtsPeak submission was developed primarily from a meeting held between ArtsPeak and Minister Crean at Parliament House, Canberra August 2011, also attended by Senator Kate Lundy.

AICV, as a member of the national ArtsPeak coalition, has endorsed the ArtsPeak submission to the Office of the Arts' National Cultural Policy consultation 2011. The ArtsPeak submission was developed primarily from a meeting held between ArtsPeak (including AICV representatives) and Minister Crean at Parliament House, Canberra August 2011, also attended by Senator Kate Lundy.

Following concerns regarding the discontinuation of the ABC’s Melbourne based program Art Nation, AICV has lent its weight to ArtsPeak’s submission to the Senate Enquiry into the ABC.

This submission responds to each of the ten points in the Discussion Framework- Towards a National Cultural Policy and proposes specific program, funding and governance outcomes. Within this framework the AICV will seek to:

Address the three priorities:

• Keeping culture strong

• Engaging the community

• Powering the young

Address the three questions posed in the discussion forum:

• What positive steps would you like to see to advance Australian culture?

• What do you think are the priorities for a national cultural policy?

• What other issues do you think are important?

Address the Minister’s Press Club Speech (2009)

“Creative Futures: an investment in a sustainable Victoria” speaks of the need for investment in Victorian culture to ensure that the government’s policy priorities can be enacted. We strive for a future where all Victorians in every part of our community engage in arts and cultural development, value diversity and Indigenous Culture, and are supported by all levels of government to do so.

The ideas and recommendations put forward in this report are based on:

• Outcomes of a “Think Tank” public consultation process
• Analysis conducted by AIC’s Peak Network of arts workers
• Research and additional consultation

The following is a list of ambit claims for investment in the arts in Victoria prepared by the Arts Industry Council (Victoria) Inc. It is based on ideas from various forums, AIC’s Making It Real Strategy, previous lobbying efforts by AIC(V) and member organisations, literature reviews and the AIC(V) 2005 Strategic Plan...

The small to medium sector is the unexamined lynchpin to the success of the performing arts sector in contributing to cultural life in Victoria. This sector is characterised by enormous commitment and passion, skill and creativity and is perhaps closest to the communities with whose stories and music they engage....