Online Survey Launch on Future of Australia Council
23 February 2012 at 1:01 pm
An online survey on the future of Australia’s flagship arts funding body, the Australia Council, has been launched as part of a Federal Government’s plan to develop a National Cultural Policy.
In December 2011, the Government announced an independent review of the Australia Council for the Arts ahead of the development of the nation's first National Cultural Policy in almost 20 years.
Arts Minister Simon Crean said the Australia Council had a proud record of helping local artists develop their talent and connect with national and international audiences.
"The new National Cultural Policy will set the framework for Australian Government support for the arts, culture and the creative industries for the next decade," he said.
"There has been a huge response from artists, audiences and community groups to the discussion paper on the National Cultural Policy."
Angus James and Gabrielle Trainor were appointed as Chairs of the Review of the Australia Council for the Arts and its links with other arts support organisations and agencies. Minister Crean said James and Trainor have extensive experience in corporate change and governance in both the public and private sector.
"This is the first major review of the work of the Council and other agencies since the 1980s. The reviewers will consider the feedback and work closely with the Australia Council and its Executive and the outcomes of their independent review will be considered as part of the National Cultural Policy," the Minister said.
In launching the online survey, the Chairs of the Review, said they are very interested in views about whether the original purpose of the Australia Council remains relevant today and what changes, if any, could be made to the agency’s role and delivery of support to the sector.
This questionnaire is confidential and should only take around 8-10 minutes and can only be completed in one sitting. The survey is being undertaken for the Review by TNS Social Research on behalf of the Australian Government’s Office for the Arts.
The survey closes at 5pm AEDT, Friday March 9, 2012.
The survey can be found at www.culture.arts.gov.au/australia-council-review-survey