ACT government to provide extra $230,000 in arts funding after protest

The ACT government has announced it will provide an additional $230,000 for arts projects in 2017 after artists protested the drop in funding from the previous year.

In December, ACT arts minister Gordon Ramsay announced around $250,000 in funding for 14 arts projects, compared to around $730,000 in 2016. The Canberra Times reported that more than 80 artists wrote to the territory government to protest the ‘unprecedented’ drop.

The new funding will support another 14 projects. Ramsay said that in the future the government will outline the amount of funding available in each round when applications are sought.

Composer Michael Sollis told the Canberra Times that while the decline in funding was still a problem, the experience had provided an opportunity for ‘closer interaction’ between the government and artists. ‘Even though there’s been addition into that fund, the reality is it’s only 65 per cent of funding over previous years,’ said Sollis. ‘Personally I still think it represents a problem, however I do certainly acknowledge the minister has listened to community and responded in a positive way.’

To see the list of initial 14 projects to receive funding, click here.

Category: Local news