THANK YOU to all who signed the petition and helped bring this matter to the urgent attention of our new Minister. 

We are pleased to report that the Minister made the NSW arts funding announcements on the 17 December.

To see signatures and comments collected to date - select the signature tab.

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Open letter to

The Hon. Virginia Judge MP Minister for the Arts

Email: [email protected]        

[11 December 2010]     

Dear Minister                             

NSW arts companies and artists are still waiting to be informed of the outcomes of their funding applications for core operations and projects occurring between 1st January and 31st December 2010.                               

This is a dire situation. Across NSW companies are unable to confirm for full time employees if they still have jobs for 2010 which is only 3 weeks away. Artists are unable to be engaged and offered employment for projects throughout the year. This jeopardizes the livelihood of a significant section of the Creative Industries. Without funding notification companies are currently unable to plan with quality, security and efficiency. In the new year some organisations will be forced to close their doors unable to sustain cash-flow. And most devastating is the limitations this places on the public of NSW to be informed of, and participate in, vibrant, culturally enriching, educational and entertaining quality arts experiences.                             

Whilst recent changes in government may be identified as a reason for further delays with the announcements, the simple fact is the announcements were already long overdue. Artists and companies lodged funding applications on the 6 of July 2009. The process has taken 22 weeks to date with still no word of what funding is available for arts activities across NSW in 2010.                             

Other state governments announce their funding for arts activities within timeframes that support their artists and audiences. The State Government in Queensland announces funding of arts activities 13-15 weeks from time of lodgment and Arts Victoria advertises and delivers announcements 12 weeks after the application closing date. It has taken Arts NSW almost twice as long with announcements still pending.                             

The timing of 2010 funding announcements is not an isolated incident. Funds for the calendar year of 2008 were announced in February 2008, and the physical cash was not dispersed until close to the end of the first quarter. For 2009 the situation was only slightly improved and again jobs and projects were placed in jeopardy.                            

These continual delays indicate a lack of respect for the work required of creating, producing, presenting and promoting arts activities and is stifling the industry and comprises quality. Instead of being able to excel and develop practice, arts workers are in limbo unable to move forward. In summary the delays hamper the ability for the cultural and participation aims of the Government’s State Plan to be fully realised and delivered to a high standard.                             

We the undersigned request applicants are informed immediately of the outcome of their application. We also ask that attention be given to the processes of Arts NSW to ensure arts experiences for the people of NSW and the livelihood of artists and arts workers is never again compromised and held to ransom by the timing of announcements.