regional arts Australia had a forum in ballarat last week to discuss issues that relate to government policy and the arts – ie – that arts is no longer its own important category but is submerged within the fields of education, economy, indigenous development, social inclusion and climate change. Its an interesting turn of events and the forum threw around ideas about the importance of art and artists having to justify their work – not a bad idea i reckon, it doesn’t need to be elitist, but it does have to be engaging, relevant and inclusive… The major themes were funding, rebranding ‘ART” and engagement. we also talked about an Art Hit Squad ( I imagine we will all be wearing black skivvies but I can work with that) that seemed to be taken up by Regional Arts Heavies… should be a fun ride regardless.