From the desk of Roland Rocchiccioli – 12 July

When, in 2120, anthropologists, social scientists, and history students want to revisit the 21st century, they will look to our architecture, our writings, music, dance, film, opera, ballet, and the fine arts. These disciplines will tell them, with clarity, our social narrative.

THEY are, categorically, the ultimate litmus test of any civilised society. They are, in modern parlance, our enduring DNA.

Finally, some five months after theatres across the country were closed-down, and almost every practitioner is out-of-work and ineligible for the JobKeeper payment (few actors are in work for a full 12 months), the government has, and not a moment too soon, cobbled together a financial assistance package. The tardiness speaks volumes. The Morrison-led Coalition has abolished the Ministry for the Arts – seemingly they are not deemed important, and are now an adjunct of the Communications and Cyber Safety portfolio, held by The Hon Paul Fletcher who holds a first class honours degrees in law and economics from The University of Sydney, and an MBA from Columbia University, New York, where he was a Fulbright Scholar. His biography reveals no interest in, or previous connection with, the performing and visual arts. There is something unnervingly philistinic about the government’s lack of regard for, and handling of, the arts, which are vital, especially in times of great trial and tribulation.

In London, during the WW2 Luftwaffe bombing blitz, the National Gallery’s priceless collection was removed and hidden in a Welsh slate mine; however, when a letter was published in The Times, January 1942, “Because London’s face is scarred and bruised these days, we need more than ever to see beautiful things”, a decision was taken to have one painting a month on display in London. The first was Tiziano Vecelli’s (aka Titian), Noli me Tangere (touch me not), with its message of loss, love, transcendence, and protection. The waiting queues were the proverbial mile-long.

Again, during WW2, with all of London’s concert halls blacked-out to avoid being Luftwaffe targets, the celebrated concert pianist, Dame Myra Hess, arranged and presented 1698 lunchtime concerts, for which she played in 150, and which were seen by 824,152 people. Every artist was paid five guineas, no matter whom. The daily National Gallery recitals, which spanned six years, were held without fail. If the bloody Nazis were bombing them the performance was moved to a smaller, safer room. The concerts were packed to the gunnels.

The government’s $250 million financial assistance package is to support artists and organisations following the COVID-19 havoc. Sadly, it does nothing to provide an income stream for out-of-work creatives.

Bewilderingly, the Prime Minster was supported at the launch by the singer, Guy Sebastian, who, and I say without prejudice, is not representative of the performing and creative arts. He is a successful singer and a judge on a television talent show. I wonder if he would know Ray Lawler from William Shakespeare if they were to bite him on the bum! Conversely, while he appeared for all the rights reasons, and does not deserve public pillory, he was ill-advised to accept the invitation. Mr Sebastian’s presence says more about the government’s creative ignorance than it does about him. Clearly, the Prime Minister is bereft of any serious knowledge of the artistic disciplines in Australia. His obsequious comment, “We can’t wait to hear Guy singing again”, was excruciating. To tell truth: I have never heard Mr Sebastian sing. He and I do not operate in the same creative milieu, and that should not be seen as a criticism. It is the reality.

The late Gough Whitlam would despair. Arguably, as Prime Minister, he did more than anyone in this nation’s history to foster the arts. Both he and Mrs Whitlam had a genuine appreciation. During the Bob Hawke/Paul Keating tenures as Treasurer and Prime Ministers respectively, Whitlam’s aspirations were taken-up and further embellished.

Sad but true: You don’t know what you have until its gone!

Roland can be heard on RADIO 3BA, every Monday morning, 10.45, and contacted via [email protected].