Arts sector holding Day of Action tomorrow

In the run-up to the Federal elections, Australia’s artists and arts worker are holding a Day of Action tomorrow (Friday June 17).

It is part of a campaign to reaffirm to politicians and the broader community that the arts matter to Australia. It will also flex the electoral clout of the arts sector, which employs more workers than the mining industry.

It is organised by inter-disciplinary collective The Protagonists, which states it is to draw attention to the “complete lack of arts policy from the Liberal Government” and the defunding of the Australia Council which affected 65 small to medium and the start of an exodus of talent to other countries.

The group explains its approach: “The idea is for anyone, to do anything, anywhere they like. All we ask is that you share your action with us so that others can join you, or be inspired to create their own. We don’t have time; we don’t have money; we are not organising anything specifically other than collating everyone’s actions; we know how bloody hard it is to do anything without the security of a regular income; but we can do this!”

Events to emphasise the scale and value of the arts in this country begin with a demonstration outside Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s electoral office in Edgecliff (287-289 New South Head Rd) in Sydney at 8am.

There’ll also be banners outside major arts venues, handing out postcards to visitors of arts events, collecting signatures on the Art Changes Lives petition for Federal Arts Minister Mitch Fifield, create dialogue on social media, and go into mainstream media websites (start a free trial subscription) and take on anti-arts comments.

The campaign will also encourage arts lovers to speak to their local federal member, write to politicians from all parties, and vote for the candidates with the best arts policies on July 2. Arts venues and companies are also encouraged to close on the day.

Speaking at the launch of the campaign yesterday in Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney Theatre Company director Patrick McIntyre quoted statistics from the 2014 Australia Council report Arts In Daily Life. These included: 95% of those surveyed having engaged in the arts within the previous 12 months; 71% attended at least one art form; and 85% agreed that arts made for a richer and more meaningful life.