ARTIST BEN QUILTY SAYS THE ARTS IN AUSTRALIA ARE UNDER SIEGE
Ben Quilty, one of Australia's best known artists, has come out in support of The Arts Party and their work in making the Arts and the cultural life of Australia an important issue at the coming federal election. The burgeoning political party which has pledged to "encourage a more creative, cultural, educated and prosperous life for every Australian" sprung up in the wake of last year's Senator George Brandis-led Coalition attack on the Australia Council.
Ben Quilty, one of Australia's best known artists, has come out in support of The Arts Party and their work in making the Arts and the cultural life of Australia an important issue at the coming federal election. The burgeoning political party which has pledged to "encourage a more creative, cultural, educated and prosperous life for every Australian" sprung up in the wake of last year's Senator George Brandis-led Coalition attack on the Australia Council. A video clip can be viewed here:
Quilty said "There's never been debate in my household about the importance of the arts but in my country at the moment, the arts is under siege. Art schools, art TAFE, art education are all slowly being dismantled. The Arts Party has come in response to that and today please consider supporting them."
The Arts Party was created through popular crowdfunding support to stand up for the Arts and give Australians the opportunity to show their support at the 2016 Federal Election. They are currently crowdfunding once again in order to register arts advocates across the country at the election. They need to raise a minimum of $35,000 in order to stand candidates. More information can be found on their campaign page:
PJ Collins, Leader of the Party, said "As the population of Australia continues to grow, government investment in the arts and the cultural life of every Australian continues to shrink. The situation is completely unsustainable and the damage being done at the grassroots level in communities across the country is frightening. Unless we can convince the current and next government to fix this serious problem, the outlook is catastrophic. How will the next generation of Australian performers, musicians, actors, writers designers and talent in every form get their first break? We must act now before it's too late."
Quilty said "There's never been debate in my household about the importance of the arts but in my country at the moment, the arts is under siege. Art schools, art TAFE, art education are all slowly being dismantled. The Arts Party has come in response to that and today please consider supporting them."
The Arts Party was created through popular crowdfunding support to stand up for the Arts and give Australians the opportunity to show their support at the 2016 Federal Election. They are currently crowdfunding once again in order to register arts advocates across the country at the election. They need to raise a minimum of $35,000 in order to stand candidates. More information can be found on their campaign page:
PJ Collins, Leader of the Party, said "As the population of Australia continues to grow, government investment in the arts and the cultural life of every Australian continues to shrink. The situation is completely unsustainable and the damage being done at the grassroots level in communities across the country is frightening. Unless we can convince the current and next government to fix this serious problem, the outlook is catastrophic. How will the next generation of Australian performers, musicians, actors, writers designers and talent in every form get their first break? We must act now before it's too late."