Sydney Australia: The ABC has announced the establishment of a specialised Arts Council and unveiled a suite of arts programming initiatives that will reinforce the ABC’s place as home for the arts in Australia.
The ABC Arts Council focus on arts content across all divisions – including TV, News, Radio and Online – is a first for the organisation which will strengthen the ABC’s means of presenting, producing and promoting the arts in Australia.
The ABC already delivers 600 hours of weekly
arts content to 3.9million Australians and the creation of the Arts Council and new programming initiatives will expand the ABC’s reach and impact. Arts programming initiatives announced include a new dedicated weekly half hour of arts coverage on ABC News 24, and a world-first collaboration with Opera Australia and Princess Pictures to commission a four-part television soap opera.
The announcements were celebrated at an event hosted at ABC’s Sydney headquarters on Friday 11 April, attended by a who’s who of the arts and cultural communities.
Simon Mordant AM, ABC Vice Chairman, speaking at the launch event, said: “The breadth of engagement with the arts across the ABC is unique in the media landscape. The ABC is arguably the largest cultural institution in the nation and, as such, has a vital role to play in reflecting Australia’s cultural and artistic life back to our community.
“The move to establish a specialised Arts Council will ensure each division, platform and network – across TV, News, Radio and Online – engages comprehensively with the arts and continues to nurture Australia’s cultural life,” added Mr Mordant.
Mark Scott AO, ABC Managing Director said: “The arts have been central to ABC’s activities since our inception and this move will mean a continued and stronger focus to provide greater access for all to this important genre.”
The ABC Arts Council will be chaired by ABC TV Head of Arts Katrina Sedgwick and includes representatives from all ABC divisions including TV, Radio, News, Commercial, International, Innovation, and includes online and mobile.
The arts programming initiatives also announced a new ABC News 24 weekly arts and entertainment program launching in June on TV and online. The program will focus on the intersection between high art and popular culture, covering the arts, entertainment, media and celebrity. It will create original content, as well as showcasing feature stories and interviews from ABC Arts Online, ABC Radio, ABC News and other coverage from around the country.