Brothers in arts

An opinion piece in the Age asks: “Why don’t Australian and New Zealand arts sectors cooperate more?” The lengthy article examines the difference between the two nations in regards to arts funding, profiles the few artists enjoying a successful trans-Tasman career, and addresses the film industry phenomenon that is Peter Jackson (“Before Peter, people like Jane Campion had to go overseas to build their careers.”) NZ film commission head, Ruth Harley, suggests forming Tasman Inc. to promote industry development on both sides of the ocean: “The Scandinavians do it and so, on a broader scale, does the European industry as a whole. There is already a good level of collaboration, but I don’t think that Australians realise the NZ industry is relevant.” Post-Oscars claims of an Antipodean invasion of Hollywood – such as the Guardian‘s ‘The Australasians are coming!’ – hint at a powerful and unified strength amassing Down Under; perhaps it’s time to make it official.