The Rudd Government has spent 65 million dollars on the Sutherland Shire in its first Federal Budget. The Art world will only see a small percentage of that, with $200,000 spent on upgrades to Sutherland Entertainment Centre, and $20,000 going to Hazelhurst Gallery.
Kevin Rudd, and Treasurer Wayne Swan visited the Sutherland Shire in February, meeting Mayor David Redmond, and surveying the local infrastructure. Although the majority of spending is occurring in land development, the cash injections for the Gallery, and Entertainment Centre are desperately needed.
Hazelhurst curator Dan Cunningham said that ‘despite various levels of funding’ the aid from the Council was always needed.
The money will go towards ‘funding new exhibitions, commissioning artists and just general maintenance’ said Cunningham.
The budget also provided Sutherland Shire libraries with a 1.1 million dollar payment, to be spent in refurbishments. Part of this money will be used to develop a radio station at the library that will be used for education purposes.
These payments far outweigh the contribution given to Sutherland Shire in former budgets, and Mayor Redmond was glowing in his appraisal,
‘This budget fulfils many of the commitments made over the past four years.’
The good news doesn’t stop there for Sutherland Shire artists. The Federal Budget included a royalty re-payment scheme for visual artists. Currently in Australia, royalties are not paid to visual artists when their work is reprinted. However pre-election promises made by Peter Garrett have been acted upon, and now artists can claim royalties. This will be welcome news for indigenous artists, as the market continues to swell.
Local artist Louise McDowell feels this initiative is a step in the right direction, and will bring artists in line with their peers.
‘Writers, actors, and singers, all get royalties, so I guess it is only fair. Some of my work has been used in textbooks and journals. It’s good, it’s the right thing.’
The money will be spent in a payment plan worked out by councilors at next months meeting.
