Comments on: On This Day… Save ANAM

By: Ben Clapton

Ben Clapton — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:17:12 +0000

Yes, the AIS does cover more students, and it is a slightly misleading comparison. But when you consider that the funding per AIS student (IIRC) runs at about $90,000, where as per ANAM student it’s about $40,000, there is still a difference.
The AIS is also training athletes who only spend a few years at the elite level. All in all, they can expect 8, maybe pushing 12 years before they move on to something else after being replaced by the next up and coming athlete. With the elite musicians from ANAM, they will continue to make music their entire lives. Looking at that, ANAM is a much better long term investment.
And as for the board “refusing” to come up with a program, they were given very little notice by Peter Garrett to do this, and up until they had received his letter asking them to make the changes, had received no perceived ill will from him. The main problem with moving the program elsewhere is that it loses one massive thing. While another institution could start up next year and run a similar program with the best teachers, and it would be a fantastic place to be in, it won’t have the reputation which ANAM has built up. That reputation can’t be traded, can’t be there from the start. And no matter what Garrett suggests, it won’t have the support of the Australian Classical Music population, because we are so outraged with the way this has been handled.

By: Eva

Eva — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 06:41:42 +0000

Everyone agrees that elite musicians should have the same opportunities as elite athletes, but what a misleading comparison! The AIS funding covers thousands of athletes in 35 programs in 26 sports, while ANAM has 55 students and 12 staff. ANAM has repeatedly refused to come up with a program that accounts for the $2.9 million and have only themselves to blame if the program goes elsewhere.

By: Susan Chirgwin

Susan Chirgwin — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 05:58:46 +0000

thankyou for organising this
I have sent emails where requested and signed the petition
I am hoping all Adelaide music people and broader are doing the same
Susan

By: Ben Clapton

Ben Clapton — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 05:34:30 +0000

This is shocking. It makes you cringe when you read on the arts.gov.au website: The Department administers programs and policies that encourage excellence in artistic effort, support for cultural heritage and public access to arts and culture.

How does cutting funding to the premiere musical training institute “encourage excellence in artistic effort”?
How does cutting funding by $20 million to Chamber Music Australia “encourage… public access to arts and culture”?

By: Alastair

Alastair — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 01:31:57 +0000

Nice post. This is an ill-considered decision at best. It would appear that Peter Garrett and the Labor government do not understand the benefits to society of an instution like ANAM. Let’s hope that people such as yourself may be able to convince them that they made a mistake. It is worth noting that this would not be the first cut that the new government has made to classical music. Earlier in the year they cut funding by $20 million to Chamber Music Australia – the Melbourne International Chamber Music Festival.

By: Alex Millier

Alex Millier — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 00:49:19 +0000

Great blog! Keep fighting the good fight. I’ve published some links to news articles in my blog too!