The defunding of local culture.

The proposal of the City of Port Phillip to deprioritise the arts by cutting $87,000 from the Cultural Development Fund—the only cut to the City’s total budget proposed in the recent Cost Review and despite an $8 million overall budget surplus—raises a serious question about the city our councillors imagine Port Phillip should be.

Encouraging a rich cultural life is no longer core business. It has become a bottom tier consideration for planning and budgeting.

Is this the way to create a better city?

Community Conversation #5
7 - 9 pm Wednesday 24 May
Middle Park Library & Community Centre
(upstairs – lift access) 254-256 Richardson Street, Middle Park.

Our audience led conversation will be introduced by Jon Hawkes, a highly regarded commentator on cultural policy.

Jon Hawkes

Jon is internationally recognised for The Fourth Pillar of Sustainability: culture’s essential role in public planning. In previous lives he has been Director of the Community Arts Board of the Australia Council and Director of Community Music Victoria. Long active also at a local level, he was a founding member of both the Australian Performing Group and Circus Oz and is currently active with Ilbijerri Theatre Company and Clunes Book Week.

This is a free event with the option of a $5 donation at the door.

Bookings essential as capacity is limited.