ABC1 tonight, 9.55pm - Our future as an art nation, but will ABC be part of the conversation?
The ABC's Virginia Trioli will host a panel of arts identities to discuss key considerations of a new national Cultural Policy. At the same time the government is seeking public input (see below) toward a brighter future for the arts, the incredible irony is that our national broadcaster is dumping its own dedicated arts unit.
A senate inquiry into the ABC's cuts to its TV production capacity has recommended that the ABC gets its own house in order and urgently come up with an arts strategy to ensure it lives up to its Charter obligations. The minority report calls on the ABC to actually reverse it decision to axe the team that makes Art Nation, Artscape and much online arts content.
CALL TO ACTION – HAVE YOUR VOICE HEARD
In a few sentences tell your MPs and the ABC that if the arts is to thrive and our cultural voices are to be heard, then its essential that the ABC:
1. Retains its dedicated arts unit;
2. Talks to its audiences & arts communities to urgently frame a strategy for better arts programming;
3. You want full public inquiry into the ABC; and
4. The ABC to undertake an external audit by the Australian National Audit Office.
Contact MPs
List of contact details for MP’s are available here: Arts MP’s
Comment on Facebook and Messageboards
Contact the ABC
ABC Board: board@your.abc.net.au
ABC MD: @abcmarkscott (twitter)
Have your say on Australia
Contact Kate Lundy online: Contact Page
Read the National Cultural Policy Discussion Paper: Office for the Arts
When are the next Artscape doco’s go to air?
18/10/11 - New Cultural Policy in Conversation with Virginia Trioli
25/10/11 - Tracey Emin In Conversation with Virginia Trioli
29/11/11 - Ben Quilty and the Maggots.
If you want to see a good ABC Art Unit doco, why not watch the preview for Venice Biennale: Three Days in Venice produced internally by Jaya Balendra:
