The federal Government launches Revive, a five-year plan to renew and revive the arts sector, allocating $286m over four years. In his foreword, the Prime Minister refers to “the vital role of the arts in developing national identity, social unity and economic success”. The introduction was written by well-known republican, historian Professor Clare Wright and novelist Christos Tsoilkas. They include this statement in their text, “A key role of art and culture is to create forms and works that challenge us and sometimes frighten us”. The policy, the first for 10 years, puts First Nations communities at the heart of the nation’s cultural road map through preservation of culture, languages, traditional knowledge and protection of authenticity. First Nations art is the first pillar of the strategy. WfaAR comment: the arts also play an important role in reflecting the shortcomings of our society and our nation, in truthtelling and in leading the way on political analysis and commentary. Let’s hope some of the new $286m goes in that direction. We also look forward to the appointment of the first national Poet Laureate in 2025. For full details of the new policy, click on the link below. [“Arts are meant to be at the Heart of our Life, what the new national cultural policy could mean for Australia – if it all comes together”, by Associate Professor Jo Caust, University of Melbourne, The Conversation online, 30 January 2023]
Woman for an Australian Republic, Adelaide Ironside, republican poet and artist 1831-1867
Self portrait 1855, Newcastle Art Gallery NSW
