By Molly Magennis
A group of independent artists and creative organisations from Melbourne’s west have come together to urge local candidates to prioritise the arts sector ahead of the upcoming federal election.
Arts West is a collaborative group of organisations such as Footscray Community Arts, The Substation and 100 Story Building, who together deliver arts and cultural activities throughout Melbourne’s west.
The group are concerned that the federal government is not doing enough to support art in the west, and have put forward an open letter to local election candidates asking them to commit to investing in creative infrastructure, establish a national plan for the arts and protect and increase existing federal arts funding.
As stated on their website, Arts West said a national plan should “dovetail with state and territory government plans and be developed with leadership from the Australia Council for the Arts and in consultation with the wider arts and cultural industries.”
Independent artist Matto Lucas said COVID had further damaged a sector which was already doing it tough.
“Support for artists prior to COVID was already severely lacking, and during the pandemic artists were left behind with no support,” he said.
“Melbourne’s extended lockdowns have shown us that creativity, art, community and a better life is within our grasp, and it’s our choice with this election.”
Arts West are asking for voters in the west to add their name to this open letter, which can be found on their website, www.artswest.com.au/support-the-arts.
