The 2014 Australia Federal government budget includes a cut of $28.8m to ‘uncommitted funding’ from the Australia Council. This is likely to impact mostly on individual artists and projects. Thankfully, organisations on triennial funding are untouched, but it does compromise their programming if there is little support for artists to develop work. Given the lack of support for local manufacturing, this budget suggests that the current government does not prioritise local production, whether in culture or industry. Many craftspersons have drawn on individual funding to make significant works of lasting value. It raises the question, are we happy just to be consumers of cultures and products made elsewhere? What will era have to show future generations?
Fortunately, I think artists and crafts people will continue to make things, even if the government doesn’t value them. Though whether a career as an artist or craftsperson will appear as a viable option or possibility for future generations is another matter. Also how long formal education opportunities will continue is yet to be seen.