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Arts View |
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November 2002
Volume 3, Issue 2
Arts View is Arts Victoria's quarterly newsletter profiling the arts in Victoria.
Table of contents
Previous issues of Arts View
Current issue of Arts View
Minister's
Message
World's most liveable city
Melbourne has been voted the most liveable city in the world, ranked equal first with Vancouver in a survey of 130 cities by London-based Economist Intelligence Unit.
This survey confirms what we've all known all along ... Melbourne is marvellous! It's
a great international city and our quality
of life is the envy of the world. We have
a diverse and culturally rich society with great services and world class infrastructure.
The importance of the arts to achieving that status cannot be ignored and never has it been more evident than in recent months with new opportunities for Victorians to enjoy the arts.
Welcome to Ngargee
In the space of one week we had a preview of the NGV's new Ian Potter Centre of Australian Art on Federation Square and
the Premier and I opened Ngargee, the
new centre for contemporary arts in
Sturt St Southbank. Both buildings,
inside and out, are themselves 'state
of the art' works of art.
The name Ngargee has an ancient history. It's a Boonerwrung word which describes the gathering of Aboriginal people for celebration - for story, song, dance.
It honours the history of place and
reflects the purpose of the new centre.
It's typically Australian that a contemporary arts centre should honour our most ancient arts. It is more than the name. It is also the image - the red ochre mass standing against a clear blue sky. It's an angular, urban echo of that symbol at the heart
of Australia. Ngargee doesn't whisper as you drive or walk past - it shouts that something interesting and exciting in contemporary arts is going on here.
Ngargee brings together three of Victoria's leading contemporary arts companies and creates space for new synergies between ACCA, Playbox and Chunky Move. We can't tell what inspiration will be derived from having practitioners in dance, visual art and theatre in one precinct. It's a unique venture and I look forward to the results.
I congratulate all who have been involved in its creation - architects Roger Wood
and Randal Marsh, the major donors, the resident companies.
Myer Report
Congratulations are also due to Rupert Myer for his comprehensive report of
the Contemporary Visual Arts and Craft Inquiry which outlines directions for
the sustainability and development
of Australia's visual arts and craft.
The Report addresses important issues facing visual artists and craftspeople, including a resale royalties scheme which would give artists a proportion of the proceeds from resale of their work. Resale royalty schemes operate successfully in Europe and it is time that Australia supported its artists in the same way.
The Report also recommends that tax deduction benefit to donors be increased
to 125% for gifts of new works by contemporary Australian artists to public collecting institutions. Amending the Commonwealth Cultural Gifts Program
in this way would provide incentives for collectors to make valuable and significant works of art available to major public institutions. Artists would benefit from recognition and promotion. The public would benefit from enhanced displays
and collections.
ABaF
At the Australian Business Arts Foundation (AbaF) Business of the Arts Luncheon held earlier this month, the Treasurer, John Brumby, outlined the importance of the
arts to Victoria's economy and encouraged the private sector to support the arts in mutually beneficial ways. This edition of Arts View includes an article on strategic business partnerships announced by two of Victoria's leading arts companies, Strange Fruit and the Flying Fruit Fly Circus.
Improving access to the arts throughout
Victoria
It was great to visit Women's Circus
at Footscray Community Arts Centre
to announce grants, from the Arts and Professional Development program,
worth $646,000 for 55 of Victoria's most innovative artists, small and medium
arts organisations for new works and professional development.
We had a sneak preview of Women's Circus' new collaborative circus and physical theatre work exploring the theme of loss, Ghosts, for which they received
a $40,000 Performance Works grant.
The Arts and Professional Development program supports new forms of artistic expression, new ideas and innovative artists and organisations. The Bracks Government encourages aspiring artists
to develop their ideas and provides an investment in a vibrant and sustainable arts sector and in the development of
an ongoing culture of professional development in our arts community.
Victoria's art galleries form a sophisticated network, programming contemporary exhibitions as well as presenting major permanent collections. Annual funding support of $921,500 was allocated to
the state's 15 regional art galleries.
This funding is provided to sustain Victoria's art galleries, in particular through integrated programming and touring circuits. It also provides important professional exhibition opportunities for Victorian artists from across the State.
The funding ensures that audiences in country Victoria have access to high
quality exhibitions.
Wodonga's Butter Factory Theatre and
the Creator's Gallery will embark on a major upgrade thanks to the allocation
of $95,000 under the Regional Arts Infrastructure Fund. The upgrade will
result in a significantly improved foyer, rehearsal and function space for HotHouse Theatre Company and other users, as well as providing the Gallery additional exhibition space.
HotHouse is one of Australia's best regionally-based theatre companies.
Their work and the development of this theatre building are great role models for other arts organisations. This project is
a good example of what can be achieved under the Regional Arts Infrastructure
Fund which is designed to build a strong and sustainable environment for the arts
in regional and rural Victoria and improve access to presentations, performances and exhibitions for audiences in those areas
of the state.
It's a very successful program that enhances access to the arts in regional areas through a partnership with local councils and communities.
The Hon Mary Delahunty MP
Minister for the Arts
Table of contents
Previous issues of Arts View:
Volume 2, Issue 1 - February 2001
Volume 2, Issue 2 - June 2001
Volume 2, Issue 3 - September 2001
Volume 2, Issue 4 - December 2001
Volume 3, Issue 1 - July 2002
To receive a hard copy of Arts View or other Arts Victoria publications, go to Requests & Subscriptions |
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