Literary Icon Meanjin Finds New Home at QUT, Aiding Creative Arts Revival
The esteemed literary journal Meanjin, a cornerstone of Australian literature for 85 years, is set to be reborn in Brisbane, returning to its roots where it was first established in 1940 by editor Clem Christesen. Its new custodian is Queensland University of Technology (QUT), where the journal will be integrated with the university’s burgeoning creative writing program. This move comes at a critical juncture, as recent reports highlight a significant decline in enrolments across Australia’s creative arts programs, including those at QUT. The resurgence of Meanjin could potentially serve as a much-needed drawcard for these vital academic disciplines.
The journal’s cessation of publication late last year sent shockwaves through the Australian literary community. Melbourne University Publishing (MUP), its former publisher, withdrew its funding in September, citing “purely financial grounds.” This decision led to the journal’s final issue in December and the redundancy of its dedicated staff, editor Esther Anatolitis and deputy editor Eli McLean. The closure was met with widespread condemnation, igniting a passionate campaign to save the publication.
A public petition garnered significant support, accompanied by protests and a deluge of articles from prominent figures. Acclaimed authors, including Peter Carey, voiced their dismay. Reports indicated that numerous foundations, university representatives, and organisations had approached MUP to explore avenues for saving Meanjin, but these attempts were reportedly rebuffed. Professor Warren Bebbington, chair of MUP, acknowledged the multiple expressions of interest but stated that QUT’s understanding of the journal’s legacy was deemed superior to other proposals.
Ben Eltham, who reported on the closure for The Conversation, heralded the journal’s return as “a victory for everyone who fought to save this vital masthead for the future of Australian literature.”
A Legacy Reimagined: From Brisbane to the World
The name Meanjin itself is derived from a Yuggera word signifying central Brisbane, a linguistic connection contextualised by Yagarabul and Gabi Gabi Elder Gaja Kerry Charlton in a 2023 article. The journal’s journey began in Melbourne in 1945 when the University of Melbourne invited Clem Christesen to relocate it there. In 2007, its operations shifted to Melbourne University Publishing.
Eltham’s characterisation of the “purely financial grounds” for the journal’s closure as “callous and actuarial” resonates with the understanding that literary journals are rarely, if ever, highly profitable ventures. Former editor Sophie Cunningham recalled instances where Christesen had even personally funded the magazine.
QUT has adopted the term “custodian” to describe its role with Meanjin, a word that carries a different weight than “publisher.” This notion of custodianship was a recurring theme in the commentary surrounding the journal’s closure, including from its departing editors.
Charting the Future: What Lies Ahead for Meanjin?
QUT has outlined its commitment to ensuring Meanjin‘s continued independence, values, and high standards by appointing an editorial board. A national competitive search will be undertaken to recruit a new editor.
However, some critical details remain to be clarified. The future of the journal’s cultural and literary advisory board, which played a crucial role in guiding editorial decisions, particularly concerning First Nations matters – a priority for the journal in recent years – is yet to be confirmed. Anatolitis noted that neither she nor this board were formally consulted about the closure decision prior to its public announcement.
QUT intends to “take time to thoughtfully re-establish the journal in Queensland.” This process will involve “consider[ing] how to most effectively reinvigorate Meanjin, respecting the journal’s founding vision and literary legacy while enhancing its relevance and rebuilding of readership to ensure a viable future.”
The Creative Arts Landscape: A Declining Trend
This revival of Meanjin occurs against a backdrop of concerning trends in tertiary creative arts education. New research indicates a substantial decline in enrolments in Australian creative arts courses, with figures as high as 50% between 2018 and 2023. QUT has been particularly affected, experiencing a drop of approximately 43% in its creative arts course enrolments during this period, which also saw the discontinuation of 48 Australian creative arts degree programs.
The research report has called for “urgent deliberate policy reform,” including a re-evaluation of the “policy messages sent to students and institutions.” A significant factor identified is the 2021 introduction of the Job-Ready Graduates scheme, which substantially increased the cost of arts and creative courses in Australia.
The presence of a respected literary journal like Meanjin at QUT’s School of Creative Arts could offer a powerful counter-narrative, signalling a commitment to the humanities and arts. Its positioning as a “custodian” rather than solely a commercial entity aligns with the intrinsic value of such publications, moving away from the restrictive implications of purely “viable” operations.
Beyond Profitability: The Enduring Value of Literary Journals
The phrase “viable future,” particularly when juxtaposed with commentary on readership numbers, prompts a reflection on the original intent of literary journals. Clem Christesen founded Meanjin during wartime, asserting in his inaugural editorial the duty to discuss poetry in an era dominated by a “stomach-and-pocket view of life.”
In 2013, Robyn Annear observed in The Monthly that the absence of literary magazines would impact contributors more significantly than readers. This point is underscored by the interconnectedness of readers and writers within these communities, a perspective previously highlighted by former Overland editor Jeff Sparrow.
A 2024 report by Creative Australia on literary journals also prioritised the cultural value derived from writer communities rather than mere reader statistics. These journals, the report explained, serve as vital spaces for fostering experimentation, diverse voices, and a sense of writing community.
Publishing researchers Julienne van Loon, Millicent Weber, and Bronwyn Coates estimated, in their analysis for The Conversation following Meanjin‘s axing, that over 10,000 individuals had developed literary workforce skills through their association with the journal. Their sampling of issues from 1954 to 2024 indicated an average of 34 writers and 12 publishing professionals contributing to each edition.
Similar to other institutions that continue to champion literary journals across the nation, QUT is embracing a significant responsibility in revitalising this 85-year-old publication. It is a commitment to upholding the principles of intellectual and creative discourse, particularly in an era often characterised by a pragmatic, profit-driven outlook.
