National Cultural Policy: Visual Arts Voice
NAVA hosted five 1-hour Zoom workshops to amplify the voices of the visual arts, craft and design sector to the Australian Government’s National Cultural Policy consultation, 2 - 4 August 2022.
Image: Gwenneth Blitner at work (untitled work), acrylic on linen 2021. Image courtesy of Ngukurr Arts. © Gwenneth Blitner/Copyright Agency, 2022.
The Australian Government is developing a new National Cultural Policy to guide a diverse, vibrant and sustainable arts, entertainment and cultural sector into the future. A short period of consultation is currently open until 22 August 2022. The policy will be launched later this year.
Let’s ensure that the voices and needs of the visual arts sector are highly visible in the national conversation about the future of arts and culture.
NAVA hosted five 1-hour Zoom workshops centred around the five pillars of the government’s consultation framework to help inform our own submission, and boost submissions from artists, arts workers, organisations and audiences from across the visual arts sector before the 22 August 2022 deadline. These sessions were an opportunity for the sector to collaborate, share insights and ideas for arts policy, and discuss the benefits of adding our individual and collective voices and needs in submissions to this important consultation.
You are encouraged to draw on the recommendations and discussion notes from each of the five workshops via the links below.
First Nations: recognising and respecting the crucial place of these stories at the centre of our arts and culture.
This session will be facilitated by Clothilde Bullen, Wardandi (Nyoongar) and Badimaya (Yamatji), Chair of the NAVA Board, and Head of Indigenous Programs/Curator at The Art Gallery of Western Australia (AGWA).
Tuesday 2 August
The centrality of the artist: supporting the artist as worker and celebrating their role as the creators of culture.
This session was facilitated by NAVA Board representatives, artist Lisa Radford and Imogen Beynon, Deputy Director, United Workers Union.
Tuesday 2 August
A place for every story: reflecting the diversity of our stories and the contribution of all Australians as the creators of culture.
This session featured policy priority presentations from
- Alexia Derbas, Research and Policy Manager, Diversity Arts Australia
- Matthew Hall, CEO, Arts Access Australia
- Ros Abercrombie, Executive Director, Regional Arts Australia
- Amy Prcevich, Countess Report
- April Phillips, Wiradjuri-Scottish visual artist, researcher, youth mentor: Digital Lab, and First Nations Learning Designer with the Australian children’s Television Foundation
Wednesday 3 August
Strong institutions: providing support across the spectrum of institutions which sustain our arts and culture.
This session was facilitated by Amrit Gill, Artistic Director/CEO, 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art, NSW.
Wednesday 3 August
Reaching the audience: ensuring our stories reach the right people at home and abroad.
This session was facilitated by Georgia Cribb, Gallery Director, Bunjil Place, Vic.
Thursday 4 August
NAVA acknowledges and pays respects to the rightful custodians of the many First Nations Lands upon which this online event will be streamed and received. We recognise all Custodians of Country throughout all lands, waters and territories. We pay our respects to the Elders past, present and emerging. Sovereignty was never ceded.
