There’s nothing indulgent about public funding for Australian culture. More funds would fix many of the sector’s problems.

On this episode, Adelaide Writers Week director Louise Adler joins Paul Barclay to talk about the biggest challenges facing the arts sector, including higher costs and prices, greater reliance on philanthropy and greater vulnerability to political controversies.

This discussion was recorded on Monday, 3 February 2025, and things may have changed since the recording.

Order What’s the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia now, via the Australia Institute website.

Guest: Louise Adler, Director of Adelaide Writers Week // @louieadller1

Host: Paul Barclay, Walkley Award winning journalist and broadcaster // @PaulBarclay

Show notes:

Commonwealth live music inquiry: sing along with the chorus now… by Morgan Harrington, the Australia Institute (March 2025)

The Carnival is Over: music festivals struggle as football roars by Morgan Harrington, the Australia Institute (October 2024)

Art vs Dismal Science: The economics of Australia’s creative arts sector by Bill Browne, the Australia Institute (April 2020)

Background Brief: Economic Importance of the Arts and Entertainment Sector by Bill Browne, the Australia Institute (June 2020)

Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions

We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au.

Support What's the Big Idea?: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate

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