Peter Garrett Online Forum

It'd kill Opera, if government funding ceased. Hmmmm, mildly tempting (modern opera is horrible, IMO). However, would also kill ballet, and state theatre companies, etc. etc. On the other hand I personally dislike the hoops you have to jump over and the potential interference in the project if you apply for funding. Which is why I've never done it. I'm also very tired of the same people getting the funding and the same people being the ones who determine who gets what. Seems like they all just form a new company every three years, fill it with familiar faces and off they go again. The relevant Funding Decision Making Board or Committee also forms up, with a few fresher faces to keep everyone happy (often selected from those who have received funding before) and away THEY go again. It's hard not be cynical. I wish there was a better way. Short of miraculously being invited to join the magic inner circle and perhaps sneaking in some reforms from the inside I can't see any real changes to arts funding happening...and that's despite Mr Garrett's latest placebo (ouch, I'm turning into a bitter twisted old woman, damn it!) "Life is too short to stuff a mushroom"