TEXT OF LETTER TO MINISTER FOR CULTURE AND THE ARTS AS FOLLOW UP TO ARTS FORUM

8 November 2009

Hon. John Day BSc BDSc MLA

Minister for Culture and the Arts

13th Floor, Dumas House

2 Havelock Street

WEST PERTH    6005

Dear Minister

History Council of WA Arts Forum, October 19 2009

As you would be aware, in response to concerns expressed by our member groups, the History Council of WA, in association with the Royal Western Australian Historical Society and the Professional Historians Association (WA) Inc and representing a broad range of groups, individuals and supporters, recently held a very successful Forum in the Perth Town Hall, on the subject of what is seen to be inadequate funding for the Arts in Western Australia. Peter Holland introduced a panel of speakers comprising Professor Geoffrey Bolton, Carol Innes and Professor Ted Snell and questions and discussion followed.

Two motions from the floor were passed unanimously. These were:

1. The meeting agrees to take the issues raised by both the speakers and the audience in the Town Hall meeting of 19 October 2009 to the Minister for Culture and the Arts and the Premier, in the form of a delegation.

2. That this meeting calls for an immediate strategy to remedy the defects in the system and an action plan to address the needs in the area of culture and the arts to 2029.  

We would like to arrange a meeting at a time to suit you. It is important to note that although some members of the delegation could be employees of the Department for Culture and the Arts, they will be representing the History Council.  

We look forward to this opportunity to meet with you.

 Yours sincerely,

Original Signed By

Dr Sue Graham-Taylor

President