.
Australian Ceramics Association:
A rally outside State Parliament House was held on Wednesday 14 November
2012. A human sign was formed by hundreds of TAFE students, teachers and
supporters of the arts along the length of Macquarie Street. Everyone held pre-
prepared painting canvases spelling out the names of TAFEs around NSW that
are threatened by the Government budget cuts. Thousands of signed petitions
were presented to Carmel Tebbutt, MP for Marrickville and Shadow Minister for
Education and Training, and John Robertson MP for Blacktown and Leader of
the Opposition outside the gates to Parliament House. Many thanks to all who
attended and to Penny Ryan, President Fine Arts Inc Meadowbank and her
team of organisers.
Photos by The Australian Ceramics Association (modified by Ridou Ridou):
FUND ART EDUCATION IN NSW TAFE
TO: NSW GOVERNMENT
Campaign created by Penny Ryan
This petition of citizens of NSW brings to the attention of the NSW Legislative
Assembly the urgent need for maintaining funding for accessible art education
in TAFE. The cultural sector is an economic force, contributing over $30 billion
to Australia each year – the arts not only create jobs but also create
communities that are more vibrant, cohesive, healthy and innovative. TAFE in
NSW puts the ability to make art in the hands of people, without regard to their
age, wealth or background. TAFE provides hands on training that develops the
skills necessary for artists to succeed. TAFE art students go on to work in many
art roles across other industries – in museums and galleries, in community
health and local government, in entertainment and hospitality industries. Many
of them set up small businesses teaching, producing and selling their art. We
undersigned petitioners therefore call on the Legislative Assembly, the NSW
Premier, the Minister for Education and the Minister for Arts to recognise the
value of TAFE arts education to NSW and to ensure it continues to be funded at
viable levels that makes it accessible to all.
Why is this important?
On September 11 the NSW government announced that it would stop funding
art education in TAFE, leaving 4000 students without access to finishing their
courses in 2013, unless they can pay fees of around $6000 to $8000 per year.
TAFE Art courses are the main provider of art education in NSW, with many
prominent artists getting their first 'hands on' training in TAFE. As of January 1
2013, up to 30 art schools will begin closing their doors unless they find enough
people who can afford these fees. The government claims that art is not
vocational and that there are few job prospects for artists. But TAFE art
graduates are employed across many industries - as art therapists, as art
teachers, designers, in galleries and museums.
How it will be delivered
Hard copy petitions have been distributed across NSW to be tabled in
Parliament on Wednesday 14 November as part of a lunchtime rally. We
already have 20,000 signatures on these petitions. You can like us on Facebook
to follow the campaign
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