Risky business in challenging times (journal article)
by Ryan Heath
from Griffith Review Autumn 2009
"...What the case demonstrates is that government funding can never be an answer on its own. Australia’s arts ‘scene’ or ‘industries’ also need to take risks. If they are not prepared to challenge the status quo – be it incumbent elites or conventional wisdom – or even give a chance to a newcomer, then they are not worth having. The story of All My Friends are Leaving Brisbane is repeated across the arts. It is echoed in the stories of new authors backed by publishers but ignored by the marketing department. It is a familiar theme for artists who use new media or cross official category boundaries, falling foul of the funding bodies for daring to colour outside the lines. And the lesson of All My Friends are Leaving Brisbane rings in the ears of every creative who goes bust because of a short‐term cash flow problem that good policy‐making could help avoid. "