Today Kelli McCluskey, Noemie Huttner Koros and I talked with Bec Bowman on RTR FM’s ArtBeat. Have a listen and let me know what you think.
20 minutes is too short a time to really unpack the issues of Fossil Fuel Funding in the Arts and how we transition away from this. By talking we’re not only trying to search for answers, but also we’re starting to find better questions; ones that clarify the issues and get to the heart of what we value most.
It’s essential that we’ve the right to free creative expression and to make work aligned with our values. Many of us want to tackle the important and essential issues of our time, and reassess how we create and interact with fellow arts makers, audience, and with the institutions that hold/curate our cultural heritage. So, we plan to continue the conversation with the arts sector, audience, funding bodies and anyone who values free expression and great art.
In fact, we want to see multiple conversations, actions, protests, actions, campaigns – because it’s going to take a lot of effort and passion to bring about meaningful change. We know how toxic the climate wars are in Australia, and the fear many people have of losing livelihoods and reputation by speaking out against the fossil fuel and destructive environmental behemoths that have so much money and power.
But silence never changed anything. It’ll take courage. Change is never easy when there are powerful interests vested in the status quo. But when change for the better happens it is the most important thing in life one can ever help to achieve.
Vivienne Glance 