2020-09-20
With the arts sector struggling to stay afloat in the ongoing COVID crisis, the ACT Greens have today released a comprehensive plan to support artists through the COVID pandemic and beyond.
The Greens will act now to help support our local artists, with a series of immediate and longer-term commitments that include:
-
Trialing a three year Canberra Creative Industries funding certainty program for 100 local, professional artists to produce original works and engage the community with art, in long term residencies and commissioned community-led art projects
-
Paying the artist first and fairly, not last and under the poverty line. We will ensure all government funding that incorporates an arts element pays professional practising artists first
-
Requiring a minimum local content at government-funded festivals, events and arts programs to build our local arts industry.
Comments attributable to Jo Clay, ACT Greens Arts Spokesperson:
“Art makes life worth living but it is very hard to make a living as an artist. COVID has devastated a sector that was already under siege. Most artists in Canberra lost the majority of their arts income. Many lost their secondary income in the hospitality and entertainment sector too. Many were locked out of Jobkeeper and Federal support because these weren’t set up for gig workers and freelancers. And yet it is art that is getting us through 2020.
“We will make sure our artists get through this too. We will support our artists to make sure they get paid fairly and get paid first. We will fund our arts organisations so they can properly look after their artists. And we will make space for art in our city and our lives.”
You can read the full package at → greens.org.au/act/valuing-the-arts