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The Australia Council has released its draft protocols document for comment. NAVA urges you to have a close look at it to think how it might affect your work, whether you are an artist, a gallery or other art organisation or a publisher.The response time allowed is short - deadline Thursday 27 November 2008. To view the draft protocols and make comments visit www.australiacouncil.gov.au/protocolsconsultation
NAVA will be preparing a response but is particularly concerned about the following issues. Generally the Council's requirements will make the grant application process much more laborious whether it is in relation to art making, exhibiting or distributing. In all areas, the protocols apply to any artform used, not just photography or film/video. NAVA will be asking why it should apply to an image if there was no real child involved.
In relation to 'Creation', evidence of parental permission for you to work with a child under 15 will have to be supplied if you are successful with your grant application, whether the child is clothed or unclothed. For any artist who works outside the studio eg in the documentary tradition, there can be no spontaneous image making without this permission. In the 'exhibition and performances' section the terms are changed to include any 'contemporary image' of a child under 18 who is fully or partly naked. The Council defines 'contemporary images' as any created in the previous 25 years and it seems to be applicable to all visual mediums. The image may be of a completely imaginary child.In relation to 'Distribution', almost the same applies as for 'exhibition and performances' except that it is broadened again to apply to images of anyone under the age of 18, whether clothed or unclothed. This will affect publications, websites, newsletters, promotional material etc. If you receive Australia Council funding, you will have to get a written declaration from every artist that in any way whatever represents images of people under 18. In addition, if the child is fully or partly naked, application will have to made and a fee paid to the Classification Board.Your responses are important. Send by 27th November to www.australiacouncil.gov.au/protocolsconsultation
