AS FAR as expectations go, the big loser in the Federal budget Academy of Music, which was widely tipped to have its annual grant nearly tripled by about $7 million. But it received nothing, while the Australia Council received a big boost.
The academy's managing director, Robert Clarke, says he never knock-back.
But the academy's attempt to extend its operations to gets extra money. "Everything takes time, and we will continue talking to the minister and the department."
In a boost to the Australia Council, an extra $24 million will go to the major performing companies, and an extra $19.
5 million to the small-to-medium companies over four years.
The council's theatre board head, Ian McRae, says this is the decade, even though the small-to-medium companies produce most of the country's new work.
"They are the engine room of Australian arts," McRae says.
But the review of funding arrangements in the sector, which means an end to all triennial contracts next year, is still going ahead. "We change since the mid-'90s and it has become a closed shop. I know that really needs to happen.
"
Phillips, says the extra money for the major companies was "The extra money (about $625,000 a year) is greatly appreciated, but it shouldn't be mistaken for a windfall. It means the belt that classics that enrich the theatrical diet."
boost cultural exports, promote Australian tourism and education, and support the promotion of indigenous art.
But Labor's arts spokesman, Peter Garrett, says the budget is playing catch-up to address the backlog of funding problems.
industries policy, the failure to recognise regional arts and the for artists who suffer perpetually low incomes," he says.
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