Regional arts bodies – long a centre for the development of literature, painting and other cultural output in the bush – will now have to sing for their supper, the NSW Opposition claims.

This follows the recent NSW Budget announcing the stripping of guaranteed funding to all 15 Regional Arts Development Organisations (RADOs), which now lose their $217,000 guaranteed annual support, instead being forced to compete with major metropolitan groups for money.

Shadow Arts Minister, Kevin Anderson, has criticised the move and called on State Treasurer, Daniel Mookhey, to reverse the decision and commit to the $3.26 million previously allocated to rural and remote communities.

“Slashing funding from Regional Arts Development Organisations is a major betrayal by this Government that promised to support regional arts through its Creative Communities policy just six months ago,” Mr Anderson said.

“Now, we have a situation where RADOs will have to apply for their share in a competitive round, creating widespread distress and uncertainty,” he added.

He said that a relatively small amount of money assigned annually to the RADOs did a world of good for arts communities in the regions.

“I have real concerns that this decision could lead to creative black holes across NSW, with no outlet or pathway for artists or audiences who choose to live in the regions,” Mr Anderson said.

“This could see the sector return to the dark ages, where only the wealthy or those who are able to travel, have access to the arts,” he concluded.

The new funding model, however, could mean the funding ceiling for some RADOs could increase, sources within the industry claim.