Federal Officials Explore Guidelines to Prevent Arts Funding from Supporting Antisemitism
Senior federal public servants are currently discussing potential guidelines and codes of conduct aimed at preventing arts funding from supporting antisemitism or racial vilification. These discussions come amid growing concerns about the role of public funds in supporting cultural initiatives that may promote harmful ideologies.
During a recent Senate estimates hearing, it was revealed that Australia’s representation at the Venice Biennale cost the federal arts agency, Creative Australia, approximately $1.7 million. This figure includes various expenses such as production costs, project management, media events, and fees for the artist Khaled Sabsabi and curator Michael Dagostino. The costs were partially offset by $841,000 in donations.
Creative Australia defended the spending, stating that it was appropriate given the scale and prestige of the exhibition. According to Tim Blackwell, the executive of Creative Australia, the event is a significant platform for showcasing Australian artists on the global stage.
Addressing Antisemitism in Cultural Funding
The hearing also touched on the issue of antisemitism, with the antisemitism envoy, Jillian Segal, advocating for the extension of a code of conduct used by the Sydney Theatre Company (STC) and other state-based theatre companies to federally funded cultural organizations.
Arts department secretary Jim Betts emphasized the need to strengthen conditions within funding agreements and guidelines to address anti-semitism and racial vilification. He highlighted the importance of balancing the need for safety and inclusivity with the protection of artistic freedom and diverse voices.
Coalition senator Sarah Henderson raised concerns about several instances where artists were accused of facilitating or promoting antisemitism. She specifically mentioned the decision by the University of Queensland Press (UQP) to scrap the publication of a First Nations children’s book illustrated by Matt Chun. Chun had authored an online newsletter about the Bondi Beach terror attack, which led to the resignation of several authors from UQP.
Henderson also expressed broader concerns about literature festivals and peer-review panels, arguing that public funds should not support individuals promoting divisive views or organizing petitions against Jewish artists. She has written to the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, requesting that it dedicate a block of hearings to the arts and culture sector.
Challenges in Implementing New Policies
Betts explained that standard Commonwealth funding agreements automatically terminate grants if recipients violate state or federal laws. However, due to the lack of broader federal anti-vilification laws, the department must draft its own guidelines. Without statutory backing, he warned that junior public servants would be forced into the difficult position of judging subjective and nuanced artistic expressions.
“I can see us back in some future version of Senate estimates, where we are debating whether a particular example of antisemitism was or was not egregious,” Betts remarked during the hearing. “I’m not saying it’s not intractable, but I’m saying it’s difficult, and we need to think it through carefully so we don’t have unintended consequences.”
Maintaining the Arm’s-Length Principle
Any new policy must respect the strict “arm’s-length” principle, which means the arts minister cannot directly intervene in individual funding decisions or defund specific creators. Instead, the department is examining how the minister can issue broader policy expectations or general governance requirements to Creative Australia.
The department is also reviewing a recommendation from the special envoy to re-establish a dedicated Jewish Arts and Cultural Council to advise the government on cultural vibrancy initiatives. Officials indicated that social cohesion and the elimination of all forms of racism and antisemitism will feature prominently in the forthcoming National Cultural Policy review.
At a meeting with Jewish artists in April, Betts said Minister Tony Burke had indicated that an advisory body could be created as part of that process.
