Local Government

Proposed Cuts

The Clarence Valley Council proposed a Sustainability Plan for the Grafton Regional Gallery which included a reduction of the gallery’s budget by a further 50% from the 2018-19 financial year and replacing skilled arts professionals with the volunteers of the Gallery Foundation.

NAVA was approached by Clarence Valley based professional visual artist members who asserted the need to reconsider this decision in light of the damage this could cause to the cultural life of the community and the reputation of Clarence Valley Council and Grafton Regional Gallery.

NAVA sent letters to the Council in response to a suite of draft Integrated Planning and Reporting (IP&R) documents that were open for public comment, and launched a downloadable Toolkit containing word documents to assist artists and supporters of the Grafton Regional Gallery to respond to the proposed funding cuts to the gallery.

Update

The Clarence Valley Council (CVC) called an extraordinary meeting in late June 2017 where Councillors voted 7 to 1 against the cuts, demonstrating that they had listened to the community.

In the media

Gina Fairley, A community’s fight saves Grafton Regional Gallery, Arts Hub, 27 June 2017

Last-ditch effort made in council meeting, Clarence Valley Daily Examiner, 27 June 2017

'Both barrels from public' saved gallery says mayor, Clarence Valley Daily Examiner, 21 June 2017

Proposed Changes to Hobart Art Prize

In response to an approach by a group of Hobart based professional visual artist members, NAVA has undertaken advocacy in relation to the proposal by Hobart City Council to review the effectiveness of the City of Hobart Art Prize and consider alternatives.

The artist group strongly support maintaining at least the current level of resources invested by Hobart City Council but revising the City of Hobart Art Prize as a curated biennial prize. With this option the Prize would continue to be staged in partnership with TMAG on a biennial basis with the benefit of funds from the two annual budgets. In the first year, calls could be distributed nationally seeking curatorial submissions from curators and the submissions could be assessed against the Creative Hobart objectives to establish public good outcomes. In year two, the curator would bring their selected artists and stage the Prize exhibition. It is recommended that the Prize is non-acquisitive to remove the issues associated with the accumulation of the growing art collection. In this model the selected artists would be paid for their participation, rather than compete for a monetary prize.

On behalf of the group, NAVA requests that the following amendments and/or additions are considered as inclusion within this option. These are:

1. That the word ‘Prize’ be removed. We support a new name to complement the new format in which participants are selected through a curatorial rather than a submission process.

2. That a (Visual/ Exhibition) Arts Committee is established and that a diverse representation of experienced, respected and knowledgeable members of the visual arts sector from across the state and possibly nationally, be nominated to its membership. The Committee would be responsible for advising the guidelines and framework for both the exhibition format and the selection/contracting of a curator. See the City of Sydney Public Art Advisory Panel model.

3. That the ‘Creative Hobart’ objectives are not included as part of the actual exhibition curatorial brief. It is believed that the objectives will, in any event, be met with the new model as outlined in the Review.

4. That the exhibition continues to support the full range of visual arts activities as defined by NAVA; visual arts, media arts, craft and design and is inclusive of all levels of career practice and that it is open to all practitioners state-wide, nationally and potentially internationally.

5. That a commitment is made to a timely announcement in regard to the outcome of the Review. It is important to leverage momentum and give confidence to the sector.

We believe the new exhibition model outlined, including the additional suggestions, will contribute to and enhance the image and role of the City as a supporter of a diverse range of arts activities that align with the Creative Hobart strategy.

City of Hobart Art Prize Review

The Hobart City Council are currently reviewing the City of Hobart Art Prize (CHAP), prior to a final report to Council. Feedback from the public closes on Friday 19 May 2017. To have your say, follow the link below.

Ryk Goddard interviewed artist Justy Phillips on ABC Hobart radio on Friday 19 May re NAVA's submission on behalf of more than 50 people involved in the arts sector.

Perc Tucker Regional Gallery

In September 2016, Townsville City Council made the position of gallery manager redundant, announcing the role would be rolled into the position of sports facilities manager.

NAVA deplores the lack of cultural understanding and commitment by Townsville Council in its recent move to de-professionalise the staffing of the Townsville City Council Galleries.

“NAVA is deeply concerned at the decision by Townsville City Council to downgrade the expert professional management of its premier galleries. The absorption of the manager position into another council staffer’s role is effectively contracting the time and ignoring the specialised skills required to effectively manage an art facility.” Tamara Winikoff OAM, Executive Director of NAVA

In the media

Raymond Gill, Click here if you want to run a gallery (and some libraries and sports clubs while you’re at it), Daily Review, 6 November 2016

Phil Brown, Opinion: Letting bean counters make decisions about a city’s cultural life is just plain wrong, The Courier-Mail, 20 October 2016

Raymond Gill, Another big city arts patron rails against Townsville small-mindedness, Daily Review, 18 October 2016

Kieran Rooney, Prominent art dealer and benefactor threatens to pull funding over council redundancy, Townsville Bulletin, 1 October 2016

Kieran Rooney, Arts community object to council job decision for gallery manager, Townsville Bulletin, 30 September 2016

Anthony Galloway and Domanii Cameron, Arts worth more than sports, a Townsville City Council report claims, Townsville Bulletin, 4 June 2015