Arts Peak Bodies Say "Yes" to Myer Report

Representatives of 25 visual arts and craft Sector peak bodies say they are unanimous in their call for Federal and State Governments to implement all 20 recommendations in the recent Myer Inquiry Report.

The clear message from the National Visual Arts and Craft Network (NVACN) following their summit meeting in Sydney last week was ‘please do it all, and do it now!’

As Pro Bono Australia reported in September, the Report of the Contemporary Visual Arts and Craft Inquiry by Inquiry Chairman Rupert Myer has recommended more effective resourcing for the sector through philanthropic incentives and government funding.

The Report has been described as an historic landmark for contemporary arts practice that provides the first comprehensive mapping and examination of the contemporary arts and crafts sector in Australia.

The report makes 20 recommendations, proposing initiatives in the areas of:
 achieving stronger recognition and support for individual artists;
 strengthening the infrastructure for the sector;
 expanding the market for contemporary visual arts and craft; and
 resourcing the sector more effectively, including through philanthropic incentives.

The Report proposes a $15 million increase in annual funding from Federal and State Governments and a number of finely honed changes to policy and legislation the working environment and rights of Australia’s visual artists and craft practitioners.

Tamara Winikoff, the Executive Director of the National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA) says the recommendations are the first time in a generation that there has been any significant shift in thinking about what is needed to capitalise on the obvious potential of Australia’s -visual and craft artists.

Winikoff says they are some of the best educated but worst paid contributors to the national economy with recent estimates showing that they value add $160 million to Australia’s GDP.

Chair of the meeting, Michael Keighery says the Sector has been increasingly anxious about its sustainability. Artists and craft practitioners are the lifeblood of our visual culture, but financial support has been steadily dwindling. Yet their influence has never been more important- in film and other media, international relations, the urban environment, advertising – all draw from the innovative vision of artists.

Sean Kelly (Director of CAST Tasmania) Chair of Contemporary Art Organisations (CAOS).says the Sector wants to see this commitment made in government budgets from 2003 onwards, and ask that urgent meetings be held between Federal and State ministers to reach agreement.

NVACN members include:
Artists Foundation of WA, Arnhem and Northern Kimberly Aboriginal Artists Association, Artworkers Alliance (Qld), Association of Western Australian Art Galleries, Australian Art Magazines, Australian Commercial Galleries Association, Australian Council of University Art and Design Schools. Australian Photography sector, Australian Regional Galleries, Biennale of Sydney, B & W Artists, Craft Australia, Craft Organisation Australia, contemporary Art Organisations, Council of Australia Art Museum Directors, Indigenous Art Trade Associated ANAT, Desart, Media Entertainment Art Alliance, Museums Australia, National Exhibitions Touring service, National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA), National Indigenous Art Advocacy Association, Print Council of Australia, VISCOPY.