Mr Rupert Myer, Chair of the Visual Arts and Craft Inquiry is said to be pleased with the release of his report into the status of visual arts and craft in Australia. The Federal Minister for the Arts and Sports, Senator Rod Kemp, released the Report of the Contemporary Visual Arts and Craft Inquiry last Friday. Senator Kemp also welcomed the report and called it ‘an historic landmark for contemporary arts practice that provides the first comprehensive mapping and examination of the contemporary arts and craft sector in Australia.’ Mr Myer’s report makes 20 comprehensive recommendations, which the Age newspaper has called ‘uncompromising’ in its call for the federal government to provide another $15 million to advance the sector. Mr Myer said in announcing the release of his report that ‘The inquiry provided an important opportunity to focus on the key issues impacting on the future sustainability, development and promotion of this sector. We need to encourage and nurture our visual artists and craft practitioners, as they are the ones who enrich all of our lives through their creativity.’ Strong words, particularly on the heel of the news that Craft Australia are currently being managed by an interim board after allegedly bad relations between the old board and the Australia Council made the situation in this sector untenable. The interim board, led by interim president Margaret Kirkwood is looking to put into place a number of structural changes. However funding for this organisation has not increased despite the reorganisation. The only comments Ms Kirkwood was able to make regarding funding was that the Australia Council had only committed the minimum to keep the organisation afloat. Mr Myer’s recommendations however see the role of government as crucial in helping the visual arts and craft communities strengthen their future in the community. The $15 million of funding is to come, according to Mr Myer, from the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments. His report also recommends ‘a range of initiatives in areas of interest to the sector, such as taxation, social security and copyright.’ According to Senator Kemp’s media release, the 20 recommendations by Mr Myer have been well and truly welcomed. The release lists some key aspects of the recommendations. These include goals such as looking to achieve ‘stronger recognition and support for individual artists; strengthening the infrastructure for the sector; expanding the market for contemporary visual arts and craft; and resourcing the sector more effectively.’ Although these themes may not seem new to those who work closely within the visual arts and craft sectors, Senator Kemp has confirmed that ‘The Commonwealth Government will be seeking the views of the Australia Council, the State and Territory governments and other key stakeholders’ before formulating a response to the Inquiry, which may prove to provide further public comment into this inaugural Inquiry into visual arts and craft. Interestingly Senator Kemp also highlights the fact that the report confirms the substantial contribution of the sector to the Australian economy and Australia’s cultural life. The report has found that the visual arts and craft sector contribute around $160 million to Gross Domestic Profit; an amount which is significantly comparable to the $162 million contributed in 1995-196 by record companies and the music distribution sector. The National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA) have already issued their own release welcoming the federal government commissioned Myer Report into the contemporary visual arts and craft sector. NAVA Executive Director Tamara Winikoff, has confirmed that she is very hopeful the report will ensure the sustainability of the sector, particularly since their own independent industry surveys have found that the contemporary visual arts and craft sector currently receives funding at only one fifth the level of the contemporary performing arts. The Myer Report follows in the wake of the Major Performing Arts Inquiry. Its mandate included, according to the reports executive summary, ‘to scope the sector, and examine its cultural and economic contribution.’ The sector is clearly widespread and the report received a noted 190 written submissions. In his preamble to the report Rupert Myer notes that although the numbers are compelling, it is important to ‘be mindful that economic value and cultural value are two distinct concepts.’ ‘Culture’ he says ‘would be misunderstood if analysed only as an economic value.’ He concludes by confirming that what is key in the sanctioning of this report throughout the broader community, is the public perception and continuing support of contemporary visual arts and craft and their artists in our community.