National advocacy group Save Our Arts has launched a campaign ahead of the federal election, pushing for stronger arts funding and policy reforms.

The campaign is focused efforts in five key electorates – Kooyong (VIC), Bradfield (NSW), Wills (VIC), Macnamara (VIC), and Ryan (QLD), areas in which creative industries and arts engagement are particularly strong.

As part of the initiative, Save Our Arts will host a series of public forums each focusing on a different aspect of the arts sector. The Kooyong forum, to be held at Readings Hawthorn on 24 March will explore the future of literature in the age of Audible, amid concerns about the consolidation of independent publishers and the rights of authors in relation to AI machine learning. Panelists include authors Sophie Cunningham and Emily Bitto, literary agent Jenny Darling, with arts commentator and academic Ben Eltham as MC. ABC’s Big Ideas will record the discussion.

Photo by Cera / Unsplash

Three forums will tackle issues facing the music industry. Events will take place at Melbourne’s Prince of Wales, independent radio station RRR, and Brisbane’s Warehouse...