The new Arts Minister pledges to hear artists’ concerns, but still stays true to much of Brandis’ vision.

It’s been a nail-biting, roller coaster ride for Australian arts in recent weeks, as general relief following Senator George Brandis’ ousting as Arts Minister in Prime Minster Turnbull’s first ministerial reshuffle was followed by disappointment when newly appointed Minster for the Arts Mitch Fifield pledged to continue championing the controversial and hugely unpopular National Programme for Excellence in the Arts in an ABC Radio National interview last week. However things may once again be, albeit very slightly, on the up as Senator Fifield has now promised changes to the draft guidelines for the NPEA which had strongly implied a disadvantaging bias against independent artists and small to medium sized organisations. 

In an interview with Fairfax Media, the new Arts Minister promised he would listen to feedback from the sector, saying “There has been a period of consultation about the guidelines and there will be changes to the guidelines that reflect some of what came through the submissions.” The Senator did not make reference however to the many thousands of written submissions made by representatives across the Australia’s...