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A creative nation, or not?

Apr 8

Written by: Kathryn Fox
Tuesday, April 08, 2008

A few months ago, I heard about the Australian Government's plans to have a summit this month aimed at shaping the country's future to the year 2020. One of the ten topics to be discusssed by panels drawn from the Australian people was impressively titled: "Towards a creative Australia: the future of the arts, film and design."

With the talented and eloquent Cate Blanchett chairing this section, the future was looking pretty bright. This was a government with a unique vision. One that appreciates the importance of creativity to our futures. After all, what good is a scientist, engineer or even doctor who lacks creativity? It takes imagination, vision and originality to solve problems and embrace new ideas. Yes, the creative arts were finally being acknowledged. Books and authors would now surely receive the recognition and respect they deserve.

Or so I thought.

An article that appeared in early March in The Age newspaper put the 2020 Talkfest into perspective. Their highly respected Books Editor, Jason Steger, wrote:

"Kevin Rudd's big ideas summit next month wants to shape the future but it seems there is one glaring omission in the culture section. Yes, books and writing don't get a mention despite the waffle claiming the government is committed to promoting a "national culture of creativity, innovation and enterprise".

The people considering culture under the guidance of Cate Blanchett will examine: future directions for Australia's principal arts bodies; future directions for the ABC, SBS, Australia Television and Radio Australia; how best to develop a globally innovative and competitive film industry; how to encourage participation in emerging global industries such as game design, the internet 2.0, graphics-rich applications and animation; how we build on the creative sector's potential as an Australian export."

I applaud the inclusion of TV, film, game design, etc, but all of these art forms rely on stories. For that they need writers.

And then Jason' article came to the crunch."Michael Heyward, publisher at Text, says it is a "gobsmacking omission" that there is no reference to a books industry that generates more sales in terms of GST revenue and more employment than the film and music industry combined."

Did I read that correctly? Books, a $2 billion industry here alone generates more sales tax revenue AND more employment than the more high-profile industries combined. It makes sense because for every $2 that an author earns from a book royalty, the government makes $5 through sales and other taxes. Not many struggling artists can boast they make a profit for the government. You would think that would make summit leaders take note, but apparently not.

In the grand scheme, omission from such a discussion panel is not that big a deal. However, it pretty much reflects how often writers are overlooked. Book sections in newspapers and magazines are shrinking, media interest in books is already fading.

If governments don't acknowledge the significance of authors and books, what hope is there of maintaining a vibrant cultural contribution through literature?

Some of the best social commentary occurs through fiction - both literary and genre. It's an important way of recording our stories, hopes, dreams and experiences - for current and future generations that will endure way past 2020.

For that reason, we should be making the most of opportunities to encourage people to write their stories.

The future for writers, readers and the book industry depend on it.

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6 comments so far...

Re: A creative nation, or not?

Hi Kathryn, I just did the forensic quiz and wandered over to your blog. I love reading, especially your books! So do most of my friends. Compared to other countries, I've never understood why authors aren't treated better. We all know about our actors who do well, but how many of our authors are household names? Books really are treated like the plain sister everyone takes for granted. It doesn't surprise me about the book industry employs more people than music and movies. I read at least a book a week and can't remember when I last saw a movie. Many of them are taken from books, anyway, and don't do the story justice. CDs are something I get given for Christmas. Blogs like this help to spread the word. Keep writing, and we'll keep reading:) Ellen

By bookgirl on Wednesday, April 09, 2008

Re: A creative nation, or not?

Good on you Kathy. We need to bring this issue to the attention of book lovers everywhere.

By Jane on Thursday, April 10, 2008

Re: A creative nation, or not?

Hi Kathryn, You make some really good points. Like the people above I am an avid book reader and yes, it is a great insight into our world to read about local places, culture and lifestyle in any form. I have loved your 3 books and love the thought of Sydney being represented. I live locally to the settings in your books and it is with great excitement that I am able to mentally picture where the characters are.

On the forum issue raised, I think it is disgusting that somone from the literary world has not been selected and was not overly suprised by the statistics you provided. Let's hope that someone with an open mind acknowledges the talent and intellect authors can provide in such a forum. I for one would cast a vote for someone like yourself to represent this group. With a background in GP medicine and a very good imagination you would be a great addition. Cheers Kate

By Kate on Thursday, April 10, 2008

Re: A creative nation, or not?

Hi Kathryn, thanks for highlighting this important issue. Kevin Rudd's bid ideas summit needs to include our most enduring, active creative process as a nation.. not just the more passive media of internet, television and film.. which is still creative sure, but does not engage nor interact with the individual (and potentially collective) Australian in an imaginative way that written stories do. Over time, the creative tradition of passing on often vital, vibrant stories by word of mouth, which has been quietly important to many families and generations, has been diminished if not lost.. Are we to lose this through our beautiful written stories too? If not now, by 2020?! Certainly hope not!! This week Kevin Rudd has embraced Mandarin, and put it to good use, bringing it alive in his discussion with both students and politicians in China. Perhaps he and we should all remember that this increasingly important language is an ancient one and the only written Chinese script, which was founded on stories.. such as that which gave rise to the word for peace ('an'), represented by the sub-scripts of a mother holding her child. Let more of us write our stories, therefore, and even more of us read them, imaginatively!! And who knows over time, these printed words, stories, books may even be translated into Mandarin..

By Jasmine on Friday, April 11, 2008

Re: A creative nation, or not?

Hi Kathryn,
Just wanted to say thanks for standing up on this important issue. It seems utterly unbelievable that the creative written word has been omitted! It is a fundamental method of self expression, communication and the passing on of culture and requires imagination, skill, patience, passion... equal to that of other domains of the creative arts.
Storytelling is a long-lasting tradition that deserves government support and public recognition. Seeing as many popular films and performances originate in a novel or prose, it is logical that support should be there for creative writing!
Oh and definitely - keep up the writing! Am very much looking forward to the next installment for Anya!
jb

By jb on Saturday, April 12, 2008

YOU

Hello Kathryn,

Just wanted to say we love you - and your books!

Cant wait for the next one.... is there a murder in store???

N.

By newsagent on Thursday, August 07, 2008

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