Don Harwin defends use of taxpayer dollars on $100k art gala
Arts Minister Don Harwin has defended the use of taxpayers funds in footing the almost $100,000 bill for a lavish Sydney art gala.
NSW
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Arts Minister Don Harwin has defended the use of taxpayers funds in footing the almost $100,000 bill for a lavish Sydney art gala — declaring the spending of $20,000 on umbrellas and $10,000 on cake was vital “best practice”.
Minister Harwin was hammered on the issue of the Art Gallery of NSW‘s 150th anniversary celebration which he attended on April 29 during Question Time on Wednesday by Labor MPs Rose Jackson and Courtney Houssos.
Ms Jackson said the party should not be necessary to ensure philanthropic support for the gallery, labelling it “completely over the top”.
“Artists are really struggling…families are struggling…and the minister thinks it‘s appropriate to defend an event with a $10,000 cake.”
Ms Houssos asked Mr Harwin to rule out the use of $10,000 cakes at future events.
Documents have revealed how no expense was spared for the exclusive art party, including $10,000 on cake, almost $20,000 on black umbrellas that were handed out as gifts and more than $2000 on special hot pink carpet installed just for event.
“This event was part of the gallery‘s ongoing successful fundraising strategy which has raised $5.7m in corporate support and sponsorship and $48m in donations last year alone,” Minister Harwin said.
“The art galley‘s best practice fundraising strategy is vital.”
Mr Harwin said he supported the decision to spend big on “key benefactors and corporate supporters of the gallery” despite the event coming on the heels of thousands of Australians being left out of work after the end of the Jobkeeper scheme on March 28.
“I‘m not an event organiser and I don’t make decisions about cakes or menus or wine,” he said when asked if he would rule out spending $10,000 on cake for future fund raising events.
“I have absolute confidence that the trust (of the AGNSW) will continue to do a good job... It‘s a pretty damn good record.”
Important guests also included Premier Gladys Berejiklian and gallery trust president David Gonski.
The lavish outlay has been jarring for artists and the arts community which was hit hard by the Covid pandemic.
Ms Berejiklian, Mr Harwin and Mr Gonski were photographed with the glamorous centrepiece of the night’s festivities — a giant 80cm black iced ball which housed a 45cm coconut and chocolate ganache cake inside and served to guests alongside individual dessert cakes.
The cake alone cost $4897 with an extra $173 spent to courier it. A further $4648 was outlaid for individual cake portions for guests – plus $971 in GST.
The entire bill cost $95,000, including $13,000 on floral decorations.
The event was held on April 29 — four weeks after the JobKeeper payment was canned, leaving thousands without work.
Labor Upper House MP Rose Jackson said a “glitzy gala for the top end of town at the Art Gallery is just the wrong priorities”.
Ms Jackson, who runs Labor’s Rort Report which exposes government spending, said “you can celebrate our wonderful art gallery without such a gratuitous waste of tax payer dollars”.
Producer and label owner Tim Levinson, who has been a voice for the arts sector during Covid-19, said the over-the-top event was simply another example of the disconnect between artists and industry leaders — a disparity that was felt keenly during the pandemic.
“Most artists feel pretty disconnected from the top tier world of corporate art and most artists don’t feel like they are represented by the people in power and big salaried positions,” he said.
“This is what happens when there is a different class of people who enter into politics. These decisions are standards, it’s common practice. Politicians who live in fancy places need a $10,000 cake and a new umbrella. (Artists) have accepted that we need to get powerful people new umbrellas.
“I stand with my fellow Australians who are humbled and accept that we must suffer so the rich can be protected from the rain … even if there’s one in the car and two at the front door, you never know when they may need another one.”
Mr Levinson said artists who lived “day-to-day” understand that “public funds and private equity are a magnificent combination” — even when they come at the expense of everyday Australians.
A gallery spokeswoman said the event was standard industry “best practice” to raise funds from wealthy corporate donors who were entertained at the gala.
“The 150th anniversary event at the Art Gallery of NSW was part of our ongoing engagement with our philanthropic and sponsorship partners and supporters of which there were 260 guests in attendance,” the spokeswoman said.
“Guests received the gift of an umbrella featuring the Art Gallery’s new logo which was launched a week prior to the dinner. The success of the Art Gallery’s best practice fundraising strategy is most clearly seen in the Sydney Modern Project Capital Campaign, which has raised over $103.5 million in philanthropic support.“
Ms Berejiklian did not comment on the issue.
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