The Year in Rhyme - 2015
A wrap up of 2015 for the small to medium arts sector in limerick form.
Image: The George Brandis Live Art Experience (after Hieronymus Bosch).
There once was a pollie named Brandis
Whose tendency was somewhat grandiose
When he thought he’d be smart
Causing pain in the arts
He copped the reward of his hubris
The 'Excellence' program was half assed
The OzCo attacked and embarrassed
No research or analysis
The name changed to Catalyst
But still left the arts feeling harassed
The Majors first murmured and muttered
But were told not a word should be uttered
They were under duress
If they wanted largesse
They should know whose side's bread would be buttered
The new man was Senator Fifield
Who checked whether truth had been concealed
He listened he talked
But finally baulked
And left himself stuck in a minefield
The Senate it held inquisitions
There were nearly three thousand submissions
All the witnesses concurred
The premise is absurd
And needs to be put in remission
Free the Arts & ArtsPeak were vocal
Our actions were national and local
The campaign extensive
The media expansive
The impact was far from parochial
Now more cuts have been made in MYEFO
The Book Council’s gone back to zero
The Department itself slashed
Collections have had hopes dashed
“Nah culture ain’t burning” says ‘Nero’
Ahead of a coming election
The pollies don’t want insurrection
But the campaign won’t stop
No more sh-t will we cop
The arts is in need of protection
But let’s have a fun Festive Season
With ideas that are thoughtful and pleasin’
We just want a policy
That delivers some jollity
For a New Year that turns rhyme to reason.
Tamara Winikoff OAM
Executive Director
National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA)
