13 applications were funded from the WA Young People andthe Arts panel from the July 2009. Amongst those not supported was Lowdown who applies each year for funding to support WA writers to feature and reviews for arts for,by and with young people in WA.

"This decision is a disappointing one. DCA has not supported Lowdown since 2007. Until now we have able to cover costs of writers and maintained WA coverage." Lowdown Editor Jane Gronow comments

However with limited resources the Lowdown program that is supported through the Australia Councill for the Arts and other state and territory funders can no longer support WA writers without WA state goverment support.

"Its hard and disheartening because we have companies and young artists contacting us to request critique and reviews of their work. Its not easy to find a professional writer to provide their work for free which means we may not cover the work at all unless its provided by the company, which means it becomes more of a marketing excercise."

I was recently refelcting on how much coverage we have of programs, projects, shows and artists from ACT, SA and Queensland. This is largly due to the financial support we receive from those states and territories. Its inspiring and provides some excellent insight into the work. For 2010 we are thrilled to have received Arts Tas funding for the first time in, well, I think ever? This funding supports the curated content and sound editorial strategy that underpins Lowdown existance." Gronow adds.

Lowdown is the only national publication that supports arts for, by and with young people in Australia. Independant curated editorial refelcts and critiques work for, by and with young people across Australia in depth. With the launch of the ofifcial version of Lowdown Online scheduled for February 2010 Lowdown audience numbers are expected to triple.

When asked how Lowdown can continue to support WA youth arts practice Gronow responded

"Its with partnerships with organisations such as Propel Youth Arts who are a fabulous organisation and the sharing of content that will allow us to represnt the amazing amount of work that WA produced. I am very keen to hear from people who may want to submit work to Lowdown for publishing. It is vital that Lowdown remain true to its national brief."

For ths interested in submitting work or getting invlovled with Lowdown contact Jane Gronow.