9 December 2008
The latest on ANAM
It's business as usual in 2009
In a surprising twist to an already eventful story, the representatives of Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM), the Commonwealth Government and the University of Melbourne have agreed that ANAM's activities continue as usual for the whole of 2009. Meanwhile, planning continues for a new program in line with the Commonwealth's reform agenda. The artistic director of ANAM, Brett Dean, has agreed to accept a new contract for 2009. Planning for the future will include a restructured, independent board for ANAM, as well as an independent artistic committee. Details of the 2009 program will be announced in February and a longer-term plan in July. ANAM will continue in its current location at the South Melbourne Town Hall.
The decision comes after a couple of months of uncertainty for the ANAM students and staff, following the Arts Minister Peter Garrett's announcement in October to discontinue Academy's funding beyond 2008. The initial announcement caused outrage among musicians in Australia and around the world, resulting in an open letter signed by more than 750 artists.
The new consensus between ANAM and the Commonwealth Government was reached after ANAM's representatives and students travelled to Canberra for a day of meetings and music making.
Further links
ANAM homepage (www.anam.com.au/)
The Age 9 December: Academy emerges from clash
The Australian 9 December: That's much better, Minister
ANAM: Gordon Kerry Commissions - concert review on resonate by Anthony Lyons (www.resonatemagazine.com.au/article/anam-gordon-kerry-commissions.html)
Academy Celebration Concert (28 November) - program details (www.anam.com.au/cms-whats-on/events/view/2008-11-28.phps)
Media coverage and links
Minister's announcement 18 November (http://www.environment.gov.au/minister/garrett/2008/mr20081118.html)
ANAM's open letter and Brett Dean's reply to Minister's announcement on ANAM homepage (http://www.anam.com.au/cms-about-the-academy/news-archives.phps)
The Age (31 October): Minister to discuss elite music training
Brett Dean - opinion article in The Age (30 October): Elite musicians need a training centre
The Age (24 October): Canberra axes music academy funds
The Australian (1 November): Academia's Sporting Chance
The Age (1 November - Editorial): To be elite is not the same as being elitist
The Australian (7 November): Academy denies ignoring order
The Age (18 November): Alarm over Music Academy Spreads
The Australian (18 November): Artists plead to keep academy
ABC News Online (18 November): Garrett refuses to reinstate music academy's funding
The Age (19 November): Teacher's lesson in anguish as the music ends
The Australian (19 November): New music school to be truly national
The Sydney Morning Herald (21 November): Fan's pan Garrett's cuts to music
The Age (22 November): From music theory to conspiracy theory
The Australian (26 November): Students at the Australian National Academy of Music not keen on new arrangements
The Sydney Morning Herald (26 November): MPs push to change his tune
The Australian (29 November): Garrett tunes to music HQ
ABC News Online (2 December): Violin-wielding students protest against academy closure
ABC News Online (2 December): Motion to save music academy withdrawn
The Age 9 December: Academy emerges from clash
The Australian 9 December: That's much better, Minister
© Australian Music Centre (2008) — Permission must be obtained from the AMC if you wish to reproduce this article either online or in print.
As a national service organisation, the Australian Music Centre is dedicated to increasing the profile and sustainability of Australian composers and other creative artists. The AMC facilitates the performance, awareness and appreciation of music by these artists through: composer and other creative artist representation and assistance; resonate – its online magazine; library and retail services; sheet music publishing; and the management, administration and publication of project-based initiatives. Its library collection holds over 30,000 items by more than 500 artists.
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