Arts Party’s crowdfunding campaign hits target

The Arts Party will stand senate candidates in all states at the Federal election after its Pozible crowdfunding campaign hit its $35,000 target four days out.

The party, set up in December 2013, is hoping to secure 1 million votes on a platform of more investment in the creative industries, a significant funding boost for all arts sectors, greater education access for all, and have the arts placed at the centre of the current Australian Government’s Innovation Agenda.

Party leader, Sydney-based filmmaker and digital producer PJ Collins, said, “This is a great moment for us, to know that we have the support of so many Australians who believe in our purpose and in the importance of the creative, cultural life of this country.

“We continue to break new ground. We’re the only party in Australia ever to be created through a crowdfunding campaign and the only party in the world dedicated to creativity and culture. We’re the only small party in Australia with a paid membership of over 2000.”

In terms of contemporary music, it aims to increase the number of live music venues by supporting new approaches by local councils to development controls, building code requirements for noise abatement and liquor licensing regulations.

It believes more local councils, TAFEs and universities should be encouraged to lease out their unused properties as performance and rehearsal spaces. Public spaces should be cheaper and easier to book for music performances.

The Arts Party says it will support a charter that guarantees fair treatment and equipment security rights for musicians at venues.

It also cites the need for “an agency designed to help simplify obtaining Public Liability insurance for performers, for low risk entertainment purposes.”

Other policies of interest to the music industry include the APRA tax offset to generate more investment in the live sector, greater access by disabled patrons and performers to the arts. mandatory music education in schools, the introduction of a National Online Culture Network so Australian can watch performances from their homes or schools, and greater protection for community radio and TV,

The Arts Party was extremely critical of the recent Federal Budget as “a nothing budget… nothing but further forecast cuts” and “simply disappointing.” It pointed out that the total “Recreation and Culture” budget – which represents no more than 0.18% of the total budget, will be reduced by approximately 3.2%.