In 1997, 80% of the budget for ARTS alive came from a generous grant from the Leadership program of Arts Victoria, the Victorian government's arts support agency.

The grant enabled us to undertake an ambitions production, and to devote a lot of time to marketing and program support, so that in the space of nine months we went from zero to about 40 stations that broadcast this program each week.

In addition, we were a nominee in the Walkley awards for excellence in journalism, and won the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia/LOUD award for best radio program on a regular basis.

Unfortunately, the Leadership program at Arts Victoria has been suspended since 1998, and in any case the grant was more of a seeding grant, rather than any continuing commitment. Thus we are presently dependent solely on the support of the CBF, and the generosity of RMIT.

We are all committed to maintaining the quality of the show and we are pursuing new sponsors for the program. That's where you, our listeners come in. Your letters of support will be worth their weight in gold to impress potential sponsors.

Please write care of the station you are listening to, or care of
PO Box 2938 MDC
Fitzroy Vic. 3065
Australia,

or to ARTS alive via e-mail