Arguing Value

Abstract

While the arts in Australia have grown into a substantial enterprise over the last 45 years, the environment within which artists try to develop and maintain a lifelong career remains extremely challenging. The arts are valued by the community in articulating elements of Australian identity, lifestyle and aspirations; however, artists are not generally understood to be working professionals. The operations of the art field are still somewhat feral and industrial fairness is continually being contested. Over time, arts sector advocacy organisations and expedient coalitions have been formed and achieved changes to legislation and regulation which positively impact on artists and arts organisations. However, along with other socially progressive sectors, since 2013 the arts have been experiencing increasingly overt and covert downward pressure from the national government and their disengagement from the arts’ contribution to innovation, social well-being and a considerable economy. This chapter elaborates on the political and regulatory context in which Australian art is being created. Through a discussion of the recent derogatory treatment by government and the concomitant sophisticated activist response from the art field, the case is made for the need for a national cultural policy which draws together purposeful and coordinated legislation, funding and program development.