National Performing Arts Partnership Framework (Partnership Framework)

About the partnership framework

In June 2021, the Australian Government announced eight new organisations will join the National Performing Arts Partnership Framework, as part of the Government’s investment in building a vibrant performing arts ecology.

The National Performing Arts Partnership Framework provides significant investment in Australian performing arts for the benefit of Australian audiences.

The Framework is administered by Creative Australia, in partnership with all states and the Northern Territory. With the new entrants joining, the investment provides ongoing support to 37 companies.

The Framework was launched by the Australian and all state and territory governments in October 2019 to provide a cohesive and collaborative national approach to sustainable arts funding into the future and to guide effective decision making for the sector.

Organisations funded under the Framework will benefit from the stability of up to eight years funding. The Framework provides:

• a clear approach to prioritising outcomes for the Australian performing arts sector, audiences and communities, such as growing First Nations arts;
• a pathway to expand the number of funded companies through a two-stage invitation and assessment process;
• stability of funding balanced with flexibility so governments can jointly respond to changing priorities;
• increased transparency and accountability through enhanced reporting; and
• a new approach to rewarding artistic and organisational excellence.

The eight new entrants to the Framework include the first organisation from the Northern Territory and the first regional organisations from Queensland, Western Australia and Victoria. The new entrants are:

• Artback NT  (Northern Territory)
• Back to Back Theatre  (Geelong, Victoria)
• Dancenorth Australia (North Queensland)
• Griffin Theatre Company (Sydney, NSW)
• ILBIJERRI Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Theatre Co-op (Melbourne, Victoria)
• Marrugeku Inc (Broome, WA)
• Terrapin Puppet Theatre (Hobart, Tasmania)
• Windmill Theatre Co (Adelaide, South Australia)

Read the media release from the Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, announcing the new entrants to the National Partnership Framework.

Read more about the National Performing Arts Partnership Framework PDF | RTF | DOCX