This media release has been sent to my inbox, on the cuts to fine arts in TAFE colleges, in the NSW government cuts to tertiary spending.
Artrage Rally – Fun, Visual and Loud!
Yesterday’s ArtRage rally had about 500 people attend – after some suitably chaotic moments in the Domain we formed into word groups of the colleges facing closure and took our positions along Macquarie Street, stretching from the State Library to past Sydney Hospital.
We presented the petitions to Carmel Tebbutt and John Robertson – 23,000 handwritten ones and 14,000 online ones – on the street after not being allowed to enter the Parliament forecourt with our large artwork of the Art Petition. But it is hard to break through to the media – despite much work being done only the Daily Telegraph has reported the event! There are photos online, though, including a gallery at CommunityRun's facebook site. And here's one by Meadowbank graduate Kate Scott:
We are hopeful that Friday’s protest outside the Art Gallery of NSW at 5.30 will also be loud and will get media coverage. If you intend to join us, we do not have police permission (which should be fine as we will be on public land). Bring colourful placards, dress up and we will again let the government know our ArtRage!
On Sunday 18 from 11 am there is a Community Day of Action in Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour. The Teachers Federation has organised this day to protest all of the $1.7 billion cuts to education introduced by the Government. I recently spoke at a community forum in Leichhardt and got to hear how the cuts will impact on schools – it was much more shocking than I knew from press reports. So if you can make it do come – its designed as a family event with entertainment all day. There will have a TAFE Art stall that encourages people to make art while they are at the event.
On Monday 19th we have organised an Arts industry event to bring together prominent artists, gallery owners, curators, art writers, art businesses and arts organisations to express support for TAFE art education. A joint statement will be put out from the arts industry and again we aim for greater media coverage.
Next week I will do a report on what we know is happening around NSW and strategies for maintaining pressure on the government. We know they are waiting for the campaign to wind up as a result of the end of term and Christmas – leaving it much more easy to quietly close art schools and sack teachers. We hope to prove them wrong! "
* Technical and Further Education- TAFE colleges
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