Post by aj on Jan 31, 2005 16:14:16 GMT 10
Melbourne-based fans might be interested to know the Melbourne Jazz Co-op will be cutting back its program at Bennetts Lane this year, due to a 50% decrease in funding from Arts Victoria.
(For those who don't know, the Co-op uses funding from Arts Vic & the Australia Council to present shows on Sunday & Tuesday nights at Bennetts, spending $ on advertising & brochures and to ensure musos get paid a guaranteed fee, and travel costs in the case of interstate musicians).
Co-op director, Martin Jackson, says the Co-op has received (on average) $20,000 from Arts Vic in recent years, but will get just $10,000 in 2005. He compares this with the funding SIMA receives from Arts NSW ($51,200), and points out that Arts NSW has consistently supported SIMA, and other NSW jazz organisations for many years now.
It's puzzling that Arts Vic has consistently shown so little interest in supporting jazz here. Yes (to declare an interest) the Wangaratta Festival has been consistently well supported (funding went from $25,000 to $40,000 last year) ; as has the Melb Womens jazz fest in recent years ; but the MIJF received very inconsistent support from Arts Vic in my experience, and the Co-op has been (in my view) taken for granted, & badly burned in this instance.
The result is that the Co-op will be in a position to take fewer chances with younger artists, interstate acts & larger ensembles, & will cancel its Tuesday program at Bennetts for 4 months mid year. (Gigs will still take place on those nights, I'm sure, but without Co-op support, the bands will be on door deals).
Any musician or fan who would like to register a protest with the powers that be, can contact
premier@dpc.vic.gov.au
or mary.delahunty@parliament.vic.gov.au
Martin has asked that he be cc'd on
mjac@netspace.net.au
Pressure from musicians, fans & media made a difference when the City Of Melbourne & Arts Vic pulled the plug on MIJF in 2002. It would be good to think the same might happen here.
- Adrian Jackson
(director of Wangaratta Festival Of Jazz ; brother of Martin Jackson)
(For those who don't know, the Co-op uses funding from Arts Vic & the Australia Council to present shows on Sunday & Tuesday nights at Bennetts, spending $ on advertising & brochures and to ensure musos get paid a guaranteed fee, and travel costs in the case of interstate musicians).
Co-op director, Martin Jackson, says the Co-op has received (on average) $20,000 from Arts Vic in recent years, but will get just $10,000 in 2005. He compares this with the funding SIMA receives from Arts NSW ($51,200), and points out that Arts NSW has consistently supported SIMA, and other NSW jazz organisations for many years now.
It's puzzling that Arts Vic has consistently shown so little interest in supporting jazz here. Yes (to declare an interest) the Wangaratta Festival has been consistently well supported (funding went from $25,000 to $40,000 last year) ; as has the Melb Womens jazz fest in recent years ; but the MIJF received very inconsistent support from Arts Vic in my experience, and the Co-op has been (in my view) taken for granted, & badly burned in this instance.
The result is that the Co-op will be in a position to take fewer chances with younger artists, interstate acts & larger ensembles, & will cancel its Tuesday program at Bennetts for 4 months mid year. (Gigs will still take place on those nights, I'm sure, but without Co-op support, the bands will be on door deals).
Any musician or fan who would like to register a protest with the powers that be, can contact
premier@dpc.vic.gov.au
or mary.delahunty@parliament.vic.gov.au
Martin has asked that he be cc'd on
mjac@netspace.net.au
Pressure from musicians, fans & media made a difference when the City Of Melbourne & Arts Vic pulled the plug on MIJF in 2002. It would be good to think the same might happen here.
- Adrian Jackson
(director of Wangaratta Festival Of Jazz ; brother of Martin Jackson)
How many people have been employed by or have enjoyed the work of the Coop over the last 10 years?
