Artists are integral to making sense of our changing global landscape. They are society's antennae. Nations and societies that understand this are more culturally, socially, environmentally and economically viable. David Pledger brings powerful evidence to show that applying an industrial model to cultural production has seriously damaged Australia's creative heart. Countries that put art over commerce reap the greater economic benefit. But Australia has not heard this message. Artists' autonomy has been curtailed. Their numbers are decreasing. They are barely visible at elite levels of governance and advice. He lays blame on government but equally on artists themselves.