Is Arts Minister Fifield restoring funding cuts, making changes to the NPEA?

Is new Federal Arts Minister Mitch Fifield set to wind back at least some of the funding cutsto the Australia Council by his predecessor GeorgeBrandis?

Are there being changes made toBrandis’ alternate funding National Program for Excellence in the Arts (NPEA), whichBrandissaid was necessary to help those groups (especially in the regional areas) being left out by Council decisions?

Senator Fifieldisnot making an official statement untilnext week. Butthe70 arts sector leaders who heard him speak atthe NationalArtsRoundtableat Sydney’sCarriageworkslast Fridaywere left with the impression that thiswasthe case.

The National Roundtable was organised by Free the Arts,which wasset up to combatBrandis’ “reckless” (it said) cuts.The Roundtablewas described by anattendee as conducted in a “constructive, collaborative and positive manner.”

Fifieldindicatedhe would give “careful consideration” to how the NPEA would be set up.Initiallyto belaunchedin July underBrandis, the new Minister admitted therewould “probably be more significant changes than had initially beenanticipated.”Individual grants will now be offered, it seems.

Fifield certainly endeared himself to the arts leaders. During the meeting he acknowledged their concerns, andwanted “certainty, stability and security” in the sector.He agreed that the small- to medium-sized part of the sector should be protected because that was where most of the innovation and experimentation took place.“The heartbeat”, his words.Hesaid he was willing to talk and consult. He gave out his mobile number and asked them to keep in touch. When he left, he got an enthusiastic applause.

Shadow Arts Minister Mark Dreyfus,Laborsenator Jacinta Collins andthe Greens’ AdamBandtalsospoke.Bandtwas disappointed noannouncementwasmadethat the NPEA would be cancelled and the $105 million restored. “I hoped I’d be walking into a room of clinking champagne glasses(to celebrate the announcement)but it didn’t happen,” he said.

The MEAA Equity, the unionwhichrepresents those in the performing and creative industries, warnedof worseningincome issues faced by performers.It citedtheUniversity of Sydney’sAustralian Actors’ Wellbeing Study(equityfoundation.org.au)that 34.5% of actors earnless than $10,000 per annumfrom their chosen field andeven thenonly 21.2% earn over the poverty line when they do take on other jobs to exist.

The Roundtable coincided with the end of thethree monthSenate hearings on arts funding cuts.More than 2,000 submissions were received.Of these, the Australia Council puta question mark over the future of Australian culture unless the NPEA was abandoned.

The Australian Major Performing Arts Group, which represents 28 of the largest groups, is secured of funding, but still went out batting for the future of small- to medium-sized arts groupswho were most at risk.

The inquiry findings will be tabled on November 26. Fifield’s announcement should come out before that to blunt its impact.

Meantime, theRound Table endorsed calls for an apolitical and unified vision for arts and culture, and new financial models to realise its full potential as a driver for creativity and innovation.