GENERAL NEWS

FOUR-YEAR FEDERAL FUNDING

Metro Arts is very honoured to have again received 4-year federal funding from the Australia Council for the Arts.  This support will allow us to continue to work with multidisciplinary independent artists from across the country as they create extraordinary new contemporary work.

We acknowledge the heart-break for many of our colleagues across the sector and fully endorse the Australia Council’s initiative to reduce year 1 funding for organisations to support those in transition.  We recognise this work by the Council to support as many companies as possible on the limited funds available. We would like to acknowledge and thank the team at the Australia Council and the assessment peers who have worked in an impossible situation.

We continue to call on the Federal Government to increase funding to the Australia Council for the Arts.  A targeted, immediate and substantial support package is needed to assist arts companies through the COVID-19 crisis and ensure their survival.

Jo Thomas, CEO + Creative Director

April 2020

Image: slow burn by Kinly Grey, 2018. Image by Louis Lim.

A METRO ARTS MESSAGE

Art comes from the heart at Metro Arts, and because artists are central to all we do, we are reaching out during this time to offer our support.

• If you need us, we are here. These are exceptional times; however Metro Arts is focusing on maintaining our staff so they continue to serve artists and to offer our behind-the-scenes support at this time. As most of you know, Metro Arts recently sold its major asset, 109 Edward St Brisbane, and due to this prudent management of resources and ongoing Government funding, Metro Arts is in a comparatively strong position at this time given the economic challenges presented by COVID-19.
  
• At all times, art starts here. In the short-term, Metro Arts has donated funds to support visual and performance artists through the Artists Benevolent Fund and the Actors Benevolent Fund.  We are also offering additional paid opportunities and commissions for artists to investigate and research potential projects, share creativity with the sector and create new work.  Announcements and call-outs will follow in the next few weeks.
  
• In the future, we will be here. In this time of great uncertainty and upheaval, we are incredibly fortunate to know we will emerge to continue to support artists and the creation and presentation of new work through all of our initiatives. The Metro Arts Board and Team are committed to working responsibly with our resources to ensure sustainability in both the short and long-term.  This is for the organisation, the sector, our artists and audiences.  We are committed to remaining a significant player in the Australian arts sector for decades to come.  With the creation of our Metro Arts Future Fund, and the support of our donors and partners, we must continue to be responsible custodians of all funds to ensure this longevity of our services and our sector. 

We stand with you!

Jo, CEO + Creative Director
Michael, Chair
And all the Metro Arts Board and Team:  Fiona, Moira, Daniel, James, Brian, Brad, Genevieve, Celestine, Matt, Shani, Kyle, Jenna, Christine, Yaneth and Nick.

April 2020

Image: This is Pep Too! by Hailey Atkins, 2019. Image by Sarah Poulgrain.