I publicly post my submission to the 2013 Walkley review committee in the hope that others who agree with my sentiments will be inspired to compose their own submission. This is an important issue for supporters of the Arts in Australia. Let's have the value of Arts journalism reflected in our national journalism awards body.
To the 2013 Walkley review board,
I was a journalist at
news.com.au for two years and now intern as a publicist for the Casula
Powerhouse Arts Centre in Sydney's south-west. I'm also a final year BA
(media and communications) student at the University of Sydney.
My niche interest area is Arts journalism. At news.com.au, I covered events like the Helpmann Awards and wrote lengthy features about exciting movements within the industry (such as Australia as an upcoming destination for pre-Broadway and West End shows).
There
are other arts journalists, like Elissa Blake, Karl Quinn, and Matthew
Westwood, who unfailingly support the Arts through comprehensive and
engaging journalism.
Without Arts journalism, the creative
industries of Australia have a small voice and few platforms in which to
voice their concerns and advertise their products. If certain companies
do have a voice, it is because they are investing millions in
marketing; a luxury some cannot afford. The trailblazers of our
generation need audiences and exposure to have their effect on society;
to challenge, enlighten, and entertain in innovative ways.
Arts
journalism also fosters a community of art/theatre/dance/music-loving
audiences. This community thrives on a sense of belonging and
inclusiveness that is the fabric of a vibrant country. Broadway is
Broadway because of the people and their supportive networks, not
because of the rocks and mortar holding the place together. Arts
journalism is a necessary supportive network for these artists and their
audiences.
The Arts is necessary for society in the same way
that we need clean air and green spaces. The Arts give people a way to
express themselves; to communicate their greatest triumphs and most
bitter downfalls with others who can relate to and learn from their
humanity. There are also proven health, educational, economic and political benefits.
The list goes on, but, hopefully the value of the Arts and Arts journalism is becoming clear.
In
light of this, then, it is saddening that there is no appreciation of
the value of Arts journalism in the Walkley Awards. There are categories for business, international,
investigative, Indigenous, sports, social equity, and opinion
journalism. There are even awards for the best headline. But, no award for Arts journalism. Awards for travel
and technology journalism are also absent, but, at least these niches
have their own awards (The Lizzies for technology and ASTW for travel).
In
2013, it would be thrilling to see an award category for Arts
journalism in the "All media" section. Hopefully this submission has
played some part in justifying the need and value for such an award.
The
Walkleys are a respected and widely-acknowledged system of praising
good journalism. Let's make it a more inclusive national awards body by
including an award for Arts journalism.
Kind regards,
Maryann Wright
Those who wish to make a submission to the Walkley Review Committee can do so here: http://www.walkleys.com/award-review-submissions. Submissions close on Friday December 7, 2012.
