The Australia Council has endorsed the recommendations of the New Media Arts Scoping Study, which was presented to the Council at its September meeting.

The Scoping Study’s recommendations were developed through consultation – by way of interviews, focus groups and written submissions – with more than 100 people and organisations.

The Scoping Study sets a future for media arts at the Australia Council that sees it integrated across the funding programs of the organisation and more broadly through the production and presentation infrastructure in the arts sector in Australia.

The Scoping Study includes a 10-year vision for media arts as a vital element of Australian arts, whose artists are internationally recognised and create innovative works based in a strong culture of experimentation, research and creative development, industry partnership, awareness and community engagement.

Key recommendations for initial focus are:

• Continued monitoring of support for media arts across the Australia Council
• Inclusion of media arts specific strategies as part of the Visual Arts and Craft Strategy
• Emphasis on media arts expertise among board members and peers at the Australia Council
• Importance of media literacy as part of the Australia Council’s Arts and Education Strategy
• Partnerships with the museums and galleries sector to build capacity for the exhibition of media arts
• Implementation of a media arts publishing program
  Implementation of a research program to develop further knowledge and understanding of media arts
• Development of resources to ensure clear career pathways for artists working in media arts.

The Scoping Study identified other recommendations about media arts and contemporary practice that will be developed through further consultation and dialogue with the field.

The Council observed that the number of applications for media arts had declined in 2006, particularly through the visual arts board and music board, and encouraged artists and organisations to submit media arts applications to these boards. If artists are unsure to which board they should apply, the Australia Council’s inter-arts office can provide advice about how best to lodge an application.

In endorsing the Scoping Study, the Australia Council affirms its commitment to supporting media arts practice and looks forward to a continuing dialogue with artists and organisations into the future.