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Contemporary Visual Arts and Craft Inquiry
In 2001 the Commonwealth Government announced an inquiry into the contemporary visual arts and craft sector.
The Inquiry, chaired by businessman and well known visual arts patron Rupert Myer, was charged with examining key issues impacting on the sustainability, development and promotion of the contemporary visual arts and craft sector and analysing a range of options to enhance its future.
In September the Inquiry released an Issues Paper to focus its investigations, stimulate debate and assist develop submissions.
'The visual arts and craft sector covers a very diverse range of arts and craft practice, institutions, organisations and individuals and the Inquiry was faced with a series of often interconnected and complex issues,' Mr Myer said.
'The Issues Paper stimulated debate, focused the investigations and encouraged all interested persons and organisations to contribute to the Inquiry.'
The Paper broadly grouped issues under education training, infrastructure, financial and legislative, government support, the challenges and opportunities of new technologies, and economic and creative contributions.
A series of consultations coincided with the submission period and included arts and craft practitioners, key organisations and groups as well as Federal, State and Territory government funding agencies.
'This process was extremely constructive and the Inquiry received vital information to help it frame recommendations to ensure the continued success of Australia's dynamic contemporary visual arts and craft sector,' Mr Myer said.
By the end of the year, 190 submissions were lodged and indicated that the Inquiry's Issues Paper accurately identified many issues of concern to arts and craft practitioners and organisations in the sector.
Practitioners provided useful insights and information about the status of their profession in the community--its cultural, social and economic contribution, financial returns and interaction with commercial organisations and government funding agencies.
Education and training institutions--including staff and graduates--reported on the trends and challenges in the tertiary education sphere of the sector, while public and commercial galleries, contemporary arts spaces, craft bodies and arts organisations, among others, made submissions about the dynamics of the sector's infrastructure.
Submissions were also received from government agencies on funding and support policies, professional organisations on intellectual property and other financial and legislative matters and individuals and organisations on Indigenous arts and craft issues.
The Inquiry delivered the report to the Federal Government in June. Before the Minister releases the report, Mr Myer will brief State and Territory governments.
'Substantial support is provided to the contemporary visual arts and craft sector by the Commonwealth and the State and Territories. I believe it is important for these State and Territory stakeholders to gain an understanding of the approach taken by Mr Myer in completing his report,' Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator Rod Kemp, said.
'The Commonwealth Government will give close consideration to the report and its recommendations,' Senator Kemp said.