Blacktown Mayor said the state of arts funding in Sydney isn’t fair.
In the 12 months since a report detailed how little arts funding western Sydney received compared to eastern Sydney, the balance hasn’t been improved.
“So $400 million goes into major arts facilities in Sydney but there is no money left over for us?” Cr Bali said. “Are we seen as just Holden and meat pies? Are we seen as trash where nothing needs to come here?
“Toni Collette came from Blacktown. There are other prominent success stories from the west and the Blue Mountains But we get a lot less than the east.”
Cr Bali made a suggestion for how to cheaply start addressing the dearth of culture investment in a way that may inspire more people to visit galleries in Sydney: unlock the Art Gallery of NSW’s basement.
“The gallery has many works locked away in storage down below,” he said. “Why aren’t these great works allowed to be exhibited across western Sydney?”
Releasing those artworks for display in western Sydney galleries is a smart way to spend the art dollar with a broader benefit, Cr Bali said.
“Art isn’t meant to be exclusive and what be a great way to lift the whole of the Sydney basin, allowing them to see the great works of art that inspire people.”
The Parliament of New South Wales Aboriginal Art Prize funded by Campbelltown Council and University of NSW is an example of the drain from west to east, according to Cr Bali. The winner is announced and the artwork displayed at Parliament House.
“That is an example of western Sydney art and money literally going into the city and now being shown out here,” Cr Bali said. “That work needs to come out to western Sydney.”
“We’re happy to put money into Aboriginal art, but why is it in parliament house? When was the last time most people saw that art?”
Travel was a concern for people in Blacktown according to Cr Bali, and might be a reason people don’t see the CBD as a viable cultural option anymore.
“People out here are working hard and don’t have much time for recreation – then the next thing you know you’re being asked to get into the CBD. You have to travel, then you have tolls and opal cards are increasing.”
His ideal for local infrastructure was for each city within western Sydney to have a modern performance and display space.
“The old Shakespearean theatrette in the 1600s; each town had their own little performing arts centre. We should revive that idea. Blacktown has a smaller version than what is ideal and we’re looking for opportunity to build larger ones but that would cost $30-$40 million.”
“You could have something bigger than what Blacktown has and have at least that in every region of Sydney. We have a space for art display and then a performance space. That should be located across each centre in Sydney.”
