Culture Politick

Australia’s Heritage & Culture Minister, Peter Garrett made in interesting speech last week in Canberra, dicsussing questions about government funding and concern about ensuring artists are central to arts and culture. New Deal of the Mind have drawn this to our attention and tell us they are in contact with the Australian government and that they’re ‘really pleased to see many shared aims and ideals voiced as well as programmes like ArtStart.’

Mr Garrett began by sharing his personal  top ten  reasons to support and celebrate the arts, with which we wholeheartedly agree:

1. The arts are fun – from the mosh pit to the Opera House
2. The arts are good for you – they keep the mind alert and the body active
3. The arts help you understand yourself , describe your identity and fulfill your potential
4. The arts bind communities – creating groups and networks in shared experiences
5. The arts contribute to the economy – creating jobs, exports,  tourism, new goods and services
6. The arts drive innovation – in new technology …. new applications of old technology and ….new ways to express and entertain
7. The arts nourish learning – boosting literacy and numeracy levels, preserving our great collections and making them accessible
8. The arts are local – they help you understand your country
9. The arts are universal – they speak a common language to every man, woman and child
10. The arts express the zenith of human experience and capacity … a source of boundless inspiration

Read the full speech HERE.