Facebook post from Art, Not Apart festival prompts ACT Chief Minister's response
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr has taken to Facebook to commit to reversing a Government agency's decision to stop funding Canberra's Art, Not Apart festival.
The annual event's organisers posted on social media on Friday that it was likely to be cancelled, after a decision by the Land Development Agency (LDA).
A spokeswoman for the LDA confirmed the decision to cut funding, but said the festival would still have access to $20,000 from the ACT Arts Fund, and organisers could apply for other grants.
But Art, Not Apart warned that without the LDA's support the event would likely not go ahead.
Mr Barr replied to the Facebook post, saying it was the first he had heard of the decision.
"It is NOT (sic) a decision I have taken as we are currently in the caretaker period," he wrote.
"I support Art, Not Apart and will look to find an alternative funding source if the LDA cannot continue its sponsorship."
After being contacted by the ABC, Mr Barr took to the Facebook post again, with a commitment to reverse the decision if Labor wins October's territory election.
"The LDA made this decision without consulting me. It is unacceptable," he wrote.
"I will reverse the decision after the election if I am re-elected."
Art, Not Apart founder and producer David Caffery said the promise helped to secure the festival's future - but warned it remained difficult for arts projects and organisations to receive government funding.
"Every year Art, Not Apart, and I know this is reflective of the arts scene in general, is on a knife edge, there is not enough support for artists and creatives in Canberra," he said.
"The Chief Minister has always been really supportive of Art, Not Apart, however it's something that he hasn't paid attention to until now, and it's really welcome that it looks like the festival will be saved."
Art, Not Apart has been held in New Acton since 2011, and features markets, visual exhibits, installations and music.