REVIEW OF THE AUSTRALIA COUNCIL MAY 2012 - Creative ...

In undertaking the Review, we have also identified a number of important potential areas for action whichwarrant consideration in future. These include the creation of a national organisation to take the lead insupporting excellence in Indigenous arts practice, the exploration of the potential role of the AustraliaCouncil in ensuring better collaboration between the arts sector and the national collecting institutions,consideration of the Council’s scope beyond implementation of the Review’s proposed reforms, and the rolethat the Council can play in encouraging the arts sector to develop content in the age of wide access to highspeedbroadband services.We also note the current work being undertaken by Dr Ken Henry to develop a White Paper on Australia inthe Asian Century, the terms of reference for which require consideration of current government policies inlight of increasing engagement with Asia. In this context, there is a clear role for the Council to look foropportunities to build a strong dialogue with our Asian neighbours, particularly China and Indonesia. Theopportunities for artistic engagement in Asia and the role that the Council will play in this should be explicitlyaddressed as part of Dr Henry’s paper.We wish to acknowledge the positive and open approach the Australia Council has taken in engaging in theReview process. Importantly, we thank all of those who without exception gave us carefully considered inputto this review, including the many people with whom we met face to face and the 2007 people who took thetime to give their views through the online survey.Finally, we wish to thank the outstanding support we have received from the staff of the Office for the Artswho provided an exemplary contribution, both intellectual and organisational, to the review. We simplycould not have completed this exercise without the competent, professional and steadfast assistance of theSecretariat.Yours sincerelyGabrielle TrainorAngus JamesChairs, Review of the Australia Council7 May 20124