A progressive debate Highlighting important issues affecting the cultural sector
RESILIART, a global movement launched by UNESCO, provides artists and cultural professionals with a platform to openly engage in virtual debate.
The movement, which captures the resilience and grievances of artists and cultural professional in the face of COVID-19 through virtual debates, organised more than 270 debates from 110 countries including Fiji.
It served as a pioneering platform of open exchange dedicated to culture with a coherent mission and framework.
The Fiji Arts Council in partnership with the Department of Heritage and Art and the Fiji National University (FNU) organised a two-day arts debate from December 16 to 17 at the FNU Nasinu campus.
The debate aimed at highlighting important issues affecting the culture sector as a whole.
It targeted thematic areas where more emphasis and focus would be made on freedom of artistic expression today, cultural industries support and challenges, fair remuneration, copyright protection and access to new technologies in the digital era.
It also highlighted about cultural infrastructure and public art for community participation and expressions, professional training and interdisciplinary education for flourishing, inclusive sector; economic, social and collective rights of artists and cultural professionals, progress and challenges in heritage protection and fight against illicit trafficking, etc.
Fiji Arts Council project co-ordinator Elizabeth Edwards said the recommendations, data and results of each ResiliArt debate were gathered through an online survey and subsequently analysed by UNESCO to develop regional categorised overviews and trends.
“Such analysis will be used during preparation of the conference and member state consultations in Mexico City which will take into account the everevolving needs, gaps and opportunities on the ground,” she said.
“Issues and recommendations made should also assist the local heritage and arts managers and officials to make proposals to the government and policy makers to address issues concerning the cultural sector in Fiji.
“University students, culture managers, educators and professionals were invited to participate in the debate.”
The Fiji National University has a school of creative arts with already a curriculum of the university.
“Having the debate at the FNU premises with staff of creative arts involved — looks positive and arts education is a subject that is always part of the whole development approach of the culture sector,”
The debaters during the ResiliArt Debate at the Fiji National University. she said.
“The partnership will continue to grow because skills development is common to both entities and nowdays following the impact of COVID-19 more people are resorting to explore their creative abilities in order to earn a living.”
The debaters were informed through various media awareness carried out within the culture sector areas and a few were approached through phone calls.
“We ensured that there was a good mix of different art forms so that discussions could cover a wide range of areas,” Ms Edwards said.
“The topics were selected from the wide range of issues that affects the artisans in Fiji.
“Questions were given by senior officials who have served for many years and have greater opportunity of interacting with artisans as well as other important stakeholders including government agencies over the years.”
Culture infrastructure and accessibility to funding were topics of discussions that drew attention during the debate.
“Culture infrastructure such as a National Art Gallery for Fiji which is of great need in view of the many talents and high quality level of artwork here, but there is really no permanent gallery where they can be displayed for everyone to enjoy.
“However, artists do understand that the government has other priority areas especially after the impact of COVID-19.
“Artisans need to have access to funding especially coming from the informal sector, they sometimes find it hard to access funding from the banks, loan institutions and even FNPF to help them in their small business as in buying materials and equipment to begin their business or expand on their small businesses.”
She said there was also a need for the informal sector to become voluntary members of FNPF and to save their hardearned money for their future, their children and be eligible for all the benefits offered by FNPF.
Also an important point raised during the debate was the need to have a Ministry of Culture, Heritage and Arts.
“This will assist the creative and cultural industries across the board. For all the guilds — craft and design — heritage and contemporary, performing arts, textiles and fashion, florists, literary arts and more.
“There seems to be less attention given to the creative sector especially with the recent pandemic. There are hardly any funds or grants and benefits accessible for our practitioners.
“So much attention has been given to the farming sector with the recent pandemic and the creative sector seems to always be left out or regarded with less importance despite the set-backs. The talents and gifts are all God-given and unique.
“Hence pursuing their passion in whatever field they excel in is evident in the work they produce.”
She added many were already facing hardships and with the recent pandemic things had gone tougher for most of them.
“The Fiji Arts Council had been able to access grants and funding from international donors such as ALIPH Foundation, Switzerland, UNDP, UNESCO and the US Embassy.
“Through these grants the council has been able to conduct online zoom classes, face to face workshops, purchase digital equipment, cameras, lights, tripods, computers, purchase materials for artists and more.”
She said associations for all guilds (craft and design, performing arts, textiles and fashion, literary arts, etc.) need to be formed and established.
“These associations will assist practitioners in accessing large grants and funding to attend capacity building workshops and having a collective voice as one and more.”
US Embassy deputy public affairs officer Willie Romine, who was chief guest at the event, said the US Embassy was a proud sponsor of the arts as a means of economic sustenance and giving voice to those who needed to be heard.
He said the US Embassy supported artists through facilitating workshops, rewarding grants for repurposing unused warehouse into a gallery and performance space, training youths in the arts of textile and jewellery making through the Fiji Arts Council with a grant of $15,000.
“If you have an idea for a project that marries the arts with the US Embassy goals, then don’t keep it to yourself,” Mr Romine said.
“Our Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program offers quarterly opportunities for Pacific Island individuals and organisation to apply for US Embassy funding and partnership.”