Golden age for the arts rapidly becoming ice age
Budget 2014 has put paid to claims by Chris Finlayson that the arts have benefited from a National Government, Labour’s
Arts, Culture and Heritage spokesperson Jacinda Ardern says.
“For starters, the screen industry has taken a big hit under this government, with changes to the large budget screen
incentive fund forced on it by reports of a crippled industry.
“Public broadcasting has lost funding to the tune of $19 million since National took office. In the last year alone an
extra $2.5 million has been shaved from an already shrinking budget.
“While funding for regional museums has at least survived, it is still $2 million down on last year, the budget for
heritage services has fallen, and the relatively small amount for the protection of Taonga Tuturu has continued to
decline.
“That’s a significant loss for a sector that does a huge amount with small amounts of funding.
“Recognising the role that the creative sector plays in developing our sense of a New Zealand identity, and its position
as a significant contributor to our economy is hugely important as well.
“That the National government has removed arts and culture from the four well-beings that local government must have
regard to, illustrates just how little the Government values the sector.
“Mr Finlayson talks of a golden age for the arts. Ice age might actually be a better analogy.”
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