Perpetual Scholarships
Applications are now open for a range of scholarships, offered through our partnership with Perpetual as trustee. The Australia Council is committed to growing private, public and philanthropic funds to support the arts and create more opportunities for artists and arts workers.
Image: Georgia Saxelby, still from Lullaby, 2017-19, 2 channel video installation. Credit: Kristin Adair.
Creating Our Future: Audience Data and Advocacy Tools
The Audience Data and Advocacy Tools are a new and interactive way to engage with the results of the 2019 National Arts Participation Survey, Creating Our Future.
National Arts and Disability Awards 2021: meet the recipients
Join us in recognising Australian artists and arts workers who have made an outstanding contribution to the artistic and cultural life of the nation, at the third annual National Arts and Disability Awards.
Date: Wednesday 24 November 2021
Arts and Wellbeing Forum: watch the recording
Watch the recording of the Arts and Wellbeing Forum where we discussed the positive effects of arts and creativity for mental health and wellbeing, and the potential for the arts to help address a major policy challenge.
We know that arts and creativity are among our most powerful assets, playing essential roles in our health and wellbeing.
Date: November 5, 2021
The Australia Council for the Arts is encouraging Australians to #TakeYourSeats to get vaccinated to support the reopening of our cultural and creative venues and events.
The campaign features seats at a range of cultural venues – from open mic nights, to galleries, live music and theatre. It highlights what is at stake – and what we can look forward to returning to. The Australia Council is working to reach as many Australians as possible with translations of the video in Greek, Italian, Vietnamese, Arabic, Mandarin, Cantonese, Hindi, Punjabi available from early next week. The video is also Auslan interpreted.
The Australia Council is pleased to release our new International Engagement Strategy 2021-25
The strategy has been informed by national and international sector consultation, and an evaluation of the activity delivered under the Australia Council’s International Arts Strategy 2015-2020.
Image caption: Betty Grumble’s Enemies of Grooviness Eat Shit, produced by Performing Lines. Credit: Joseph Mayers Photography
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Arts and Wellbeing Forum
Watch the recording of the Arts and Wellbeing Forum where we discussed the positive effects of arts and creativity for mental health and wellbeing, and the potential for the arts to help address a major policy challenge.
We know that arts and creativity are among our most powerful assets, playing essential roles in our health and wellbeing.
Biennale Delegates Program Participants
A diverse group of 19 emerging creative and cultural workers from across Australia have been announced as participants of the Australia Council Biennale Delegates Program.
The program’s theme is ‘re(situate)’ and will focus on unpacking different biennale engagement approaches within an Australian and regional context.
Timothy Cook
Recipient of the 2021 Australia Council National Arts and Disability Award for Established Artist.
Coming up through the Ngawa Mantawi (Our Friends) disability support program established at Jilamara Arts and Crafts in the 1990s, Timothy has fulfilled the ambitions of the original program in establishing a significant contemporary art career through working at the centre.
Georgia Scott
Recipient of the 2021 Australia Council National Arts and Disability Award for Young Artist
Georgia Scott is one of the most outstanding composers of her generation as attested to by numerous high-profile commissions and performances here and internationally.
Eliza Hull
Recipient of the 2021 Arts Access Australia’s National Leadership Award.
Eliza Hull is a contemporary musician, audio producer and disability activist based in regional Victoria. Her music has been described as ‘stirring, captivating and heartfelt.’
A new vision: how a critical tech lab is pushing the limits of VR
At the time, Australian new media artist and academic Josh Harle had just returned from a residency in Austria, and decided to head along to the local VR and augmented reality (AR) meet-ups in Sydney. But for Harle, although the meeting was well attended, something felt a bit off.
Image credit: Nic Cassey and Josh Harle / Tactical Space Lab.
Leadership Program
The Australia Council Leadership Program is dedicated to transforming the cultural and creative industry’s knowledge, skills and capabilities by investing in emerging, mid-career and established leaders. Our program recognises the diverse nature of leadership and builds on the rich knowledge and experience across the industry.
Applications are now open.
Caption: Mandingalbay Yindinji Deadly Dinner, 2017 Arts Leaders Program. Credit: Australia Council.
Annual Reports
In a year of unprecedented challenges for Australian arts and creativity, the Australia Council has been resolutely focused on delivering against the objectives set out in our corporate plan.
Emily Crockford
Recipient of the 2020 Australia Council National Arts and Disability Award for an Emerging Artist
Emily Crockford’s broad creative practice encompasses painting, textiles and soft sculpture. Her work can be seen in large scale across Sydney and in high profile institutions.
Don’t forget to watch this year’s awards!
COVID-19 Audience Outlook Monitor 2021
An additional ‘pulse check’ short questionnaire was delivered between the fifth (July 2021) and sixth (November 2021) phases of the survey, designed to ‘take the temperature’ of audiences in light of rapid changes to outbreak conditions and planned lifting of COVID-19 restrictions in some states/territories.
Between 28 September and 1 October 2021, over 2,000 audience members responded to the ‘pulse check’ (2,146), from all over Australia. Results for the three outbreak-affected states (NSW, ACT and VIC) were reported separately to the rest of the country.
International Curators Program: Asia Pacific Triennial x TarraWarra Biennial
Curators, creative and cultural producers who identify as First Nations and/or of the Asia Pacific diaspora based in Australia are invited to apply for funding support to participate in a series of online and in-person exchanges in partnership with the 10th Asia Pacific Triennial (APT10) in Brisbane in 2021-22 and TarraWarra Biennial in Healesville in 2023.
Image: Gordon Hookey, Waanyi people, Australia b. 1961, MURRILAND! (detail) 2017, oil on canvas, 200 x 1000cm. Click on the link to see full image caption.
Sector response to COVID-19
Stay up to date with the latest COVID-19 sector and government updates. New guide to Government COVID-19 Assistance for the Arts 2021 is available now.
Private: Digital Business Model Innovation Lab – discontinued
An opportunity for arts organisations to transform and innovate digital business models in partnership with Tata Consulting Services.
Image credit: Soft Centre Festival 2018. Artist: Meagan Streader. Photo: Charl Anfield.
Australian Pavilion Invigilation Program – Venice Biennale 2022
For the Venice Biennale 2022, the Australia Council is inviting applications for invigilators of the exhibition in the Australian Pavilion. Marco Fusinato is the artist commissioned for Australia’s national representation at the Venice Biennale 2022. The exhibition is curated by Alexie Glass-Kantor.
re(situate) Biennale Delegates Program
The Australia Council Biennale Delegates Program is a professional development opportunity for individuals based in Australia. The 2022 theme is re(situate), an offer to refocus and reposition as we step into this next era in international engagement within the visual arts.
Image caption: Biennale Delegates 2019 at the Assembly exhibition opening. Image credit: Zan Wimberley.
Sync Australia Online Leadership Program
Sync Australia – Online is a new online leadership and coaching program exploring d/Deaf and disabled leadership in arts, culture, heritage and media. Founded over 10 years ago by Sarah Pickthall and Jo Verrent, two disabled leaders in the UK, this disability-led program combines leadership theory with one-on-one coaching and support for participants to reflect and progress their leadership potential. Sync Leadership programs have been successfully rolled out globally, including Australia in 2014 and 2015 and now in a new modular format, as an online program is 2021.
The Australia Council is the Australian Government’s principal arts investment, development and advisory body. We champion and invest in arts and creativity to benefit all Australians through an integrated suite of activities.
The Australia Council is the Australian Government’s principal arts investment, development and advisory body. Our purpose is to champion and invest in Australian arts and creativity.
We invest in arts and organisations through peer assessed grants, fellowships and awards that enable art to be created and experienced.
We deliver strategic sector development initiatives that build industry capacity, networks and digital mobility and increase markets and audiences for Australian creative work.
We advocate for the social, cultural and economic value of the arts and creativity.
We provide advice to government on matters connected with the arts.
We manage government-directed initiatives and frameworks in support of the arts.
We conduct research and analysis that deepens understanding of the role and value of arts and creativity.
We collaborate with state, territory and local governments.
We partner with others to increase investment in and support for creativity.
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