{{Short description|Government arts funding body}} {{For|the non-governmental national peak body for non-metropolitan arts organisations in Australia, formerly the Arts Council of Australia|Regional Arts Australia}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}} {{Use Australian English|date=September 2011}} {{Infobox organization | name = Creative Australia | logo = Creative Australia logo.svg | type = Cultural institution | founded = 1968 | founder = Government of Australia | origins = | key_people = Adrian Collette {{post-nominals| country=AUS|AM}} CEO<br>Wesley Enoch {{post-nominals| country=AUS|AM}} (interim chair)<ref name="Executive"/> | region_served = Australia | focus = Promoting creative arts in Australia | method = | revenue = | endowment = | num_volunteers = | num_employees = | num_members = | subsid = | owner = | website = {{URL|https://creative.gov.au/creative-australia/|creative.gov.au/australia}} | dissolved = | footnotes = }}
'''Creative Australia''', formerly known as the '''Australia Council for the Arts''' and the '''Australia Council''', is the country's official arts council, serving as an arts funding and advisory body for the Government of Australia.
The council was announced in 1967 as the '''Australian Council for the Arts''', with the first members appointed the following year. It was made a statutory corporation by the passage of the ''Australia Council Act 1975''. It became the Australia Council in 2013, and then Creative Australia, with a new organisational structure, from 24 August 2023.
The organisation has included several boards within its structure over the years, including more than one incarnation of a '''Visual Arts Board''' ('''VAB'''), in the 1970s–80s and in the early 2000s.
== History == Prime Minister Harold Holt announced the establishment of a national arts council in November 1967, modelled on similar bodies in Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/106980333|title=New council for the arts|newspaper=The Canberra Times|date=2 November 1967}}</ref> It was one of his last major policy announcements prior to his death the following month.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/cherish-harold-holts-legacy-so-the-arts-can-flourish/news-story/0a72e3c21d885f2dd523c59db7f3cb42|title=Cherish Harold Holt's legacy so the arts can flourish|first=Rupert|last=Myer|newspaper=The Australian|date=1 November 2017|accessdate=3 December 2017}}</ref> In June 1968, Holt's successor John Gorton announced the first ten members of the council, which was initially known as the '''Australian Council for the Arts'''. Economist H. C. Coombs became the first chairman of the body, while the other members included radio quizmaster Barry Jones, school principal Betty Archdale, magazine editor and state Liberal MP Peter Coleman, socialite Virginia Erwin (wife of federal Liberal MP Dudley Erwin), architect Karl Langer, author Geoffrey Dutton, theatre producer Jeana Bradley, arts patron Mary Houghton, and retired academic Kay Masterman.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/107055816|title=Arts Council members|newspaper=The Canberra Times|date=5 June 1968}}</ref>
The council issued its first grants in December 1968, which were distributed via the Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust as the council did not yet have its own financial apparatus. Gorton stated that the council "had adopted a principle widely accepted [...] that high standards can best be achieved by a concentration of available funds, rather than by a thin spread over a wide area".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/136960737|title=Council grants to arts|newspaper=The Canberra Times|date=12 December 1968}}</ref> The council subsequently received criticism from smaller professional and semi-professional companies, leading to the establishment of an Arts Special Projects Fund to assist smaller organisations.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/107081103|title=Performing arts to be helped|newspaper=The Canberra Times|date=1 March 1969}}</ref> In December 1969, Coombs announced a new formula for grants whereby organisations could only receive a maximum of two-thirds of their budget from the council.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/107906964|title=Arts council grants: a new formula|newspaper=The Canberra Times|date=4 December 1969}}</ref>
In February 1973, Prime Minister Gough Whitlam announced a new structure for the council whereby funding recommendations would be made by seven autonomous boards for different areas of the arts.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/110698567|title=Members of arts boards named|newspaper=The Canberra Times|date=17 February 1973}}</ref> Later that year, the council produced a report recommending that it be established as a statutory corporation.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/131691063|title=Arts body change|newspaper=The Canberra Times|date=9 November 1973}}</ref>
===Aboriginal Arts Board (1973)=== <!---Redirects target this section for now.---> The '''Aboriginal Arts Board''' ('''AAB'''<ref>{{cite web|title=Clive Scollay, Maruku Arts, Punu work: history, tradition and innovation, interview|url=http://www.craftaustralia.org.au/library/interview.php?id=clive_scollay_maruku_arts| author=Wells, Kathryn|date=February 2011| work=Craft Australia|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130420110052/http://craftaustralia.org.au/library/interview.php?id=clive_scollay_maruku_arts| archive-date=20 April 2013}}</ref>) was created in 1973. Comprising Aboriginal Australian artists, writers and performers, its purpose was "to stimulate Indigenous Australian arts and lead to the preservation of many art forms almost lost since the settlement of Australia by Europeans". Dick Roughsey was the inaugural head of the board, followed by Yolngu artist and activist Wandjuk Marika. One of its earliest activities was the hosting of a seminar called Aboriginal Arts in Australia at the Australian National University,<ref name=conv2013>{{cite web | last=Mendelssohn | first=Joanna | title=40 years on: How Gough Whitlam gave Indigenous art a boost | website=The Conversation | date=6 November 2013 | url=http://theconversation.com/40-years-on-how-gough-whitlam-gave-indigenous-art-a-boost-19749 | access-date=27 July 2021}}</ref> with around 800 attendees, with the intention of working out how government could best support Aboriginal culture and art in the future.<ref>{{cite web | title=Foundation of the Aboriginal Arts Board | website=National Museum of Australia | date=12 April 2018 | url=https://www.nma.gov.au/audio/bob-edwards-a-tribute/transcripts/foundation-of-the-aboriginal | access-date=27 July 2021}}</ref>
When created, AAB had similar aims as the Aboriginal Publications Foundation (APF), leading to some duplication of work by the two bodies. From mid-1975, promotional work carried out by the APF was put under the control of the AAB, while the APF became a referral body for the AAB. The APF was wound down, with its main responsibility the publication of the quarterly journal ''Identity'' until its closure in 1982.<ref name=aiatsis>{{cite web| url=https://aiatsis.gov.au/sites/default/files/catalogue_resources/ms_3781_aboriginal_pubs.pdf| publisher= AIATSIS Library| title= Records of the Aboriginal Publications Foundation: MS3781 | access-date=29 September 2022}}</ref>
The Australia Council became the biggest consumer of Aboriginal art, as there was not much interest in it during those years. Works were bought directly from artists, and often sent to galleries in the US and Canada.<ref name=conv2013/>
The Board was later renamed the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Board or ATSIA Board, and is {{as of|lc=yes|July 2021}} the ATSIA Panel.<ref>{{cite web | title=Our Strategy Panels | website=Australia Council | url=https://www.australiacouncil.gov.au/about/our-strategy-panels/ | access-date=27 July 2021}}</ref>
===Change of name (1975)=== After being given statutory authority in March 1975 by the ''Australia Council Act'' under the Whitlam government,<ref name=naa>{{cite web |url=http://primeministers.naa.gov.au/primeministers/whitlam/in-office.aspx |title=Australia's Prime Ministers – Meet a PM – Whitlam – Inoffice |publisher=National Archives of Australia |date=2 February 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130419124214/http://primeministers.naa.gov.au/primeministers/whitlam/in-office.aspx |archive-date=19 April 2013 }}</ref> it was renamed to Australia Council.<ref name=conv2013/> The Council then incorporated other government projects, such as the Commonwealth Literary Fund and the Commonwealth Art Advisory Board.<ref name=structure>{{cite web|url=https://www.australiacouncil.gov.au/about/our-structure/|title=Our Structure – Australia Council|website=Australia Council}}</ref>
The Visual Arts Board (VAB) existed during the 1970s<ref>{{cite web | title=Griffith honours acclaimed artist Robert MacPherson | website=Griffith University | date=30 November 2021 | url=https://news.griffith.edu.au/2021/11/30/griffith-honours-acclaimed-artist/ | access-date=25 January 2022}}</ref> and mid-1980s.<ref>{{Cite book | title=VAB News [catalogue entry] | year=1985 | publisher=Visual Arts Board, Australia Council |url=https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/99621 | language=English}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Australian Visions: 1984 Exxon International Exhibition: 22 May–9 Jun 1985| website=Australian Centre for Contemporary Art | url=https://acca.melbourne/exhibition/australian-visions-1984-exxon-international-exhibition/ | access-date=25 January 2022}}</ref>
In 1978, the Australia Council began managing and supporting the national representation in the Australia Pavilion in the Venice Biennale.<ref name=ca>{{cite web | title=Australia at the Venice Biennale | website=Creative Australia | date=12 March 2024 | url=https://creative.gov.au/advocacy-and-research/events/australia-at-the-venice-biennale/ | access-date=24 Feb 2025}}</ref>
===21st century=== The Visual Arts/Craft Board was renamed the Visual Arts Board around 2007–8.<ref>{{cite web | title=Chair of Visual Arts Board appointed | website=Australia Council for the Arts | date= 12 December 2007 | url=https://australiacouncil.gov.au/news/media-releases/chair-of-visual-arts-board-appointed/ | access-date=25 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=The Visual Arts Board is born| date= 15 Jan 2008 | website=Australia Council for the Arts | url=https://australiacouncil.gov.au/news/media-releases/the-visual-arts-board-is-born/ | access-date=25 January 2022}}</ref>
The Council's operations were independently reviewed in 2012, and the ''Australia Council Act 2013'' (the Act) commenced on 1 July 2013.{{explain|What changed?|date=April 2021}}
In early 2014 federal Arts Minister George Brandis and Minister for Communications Malcolm Turnbull told artists at the Sydney Biennale that they were ungrateful and selfish to protest about the role of Transfield in the Nauru immigration detention centre. In December 2014, Brandis withdrew a large portion of literature funding from Australia Council.<ref>''The Conversation'', 16 October 2016, [http://theconversation.com/arts-training-is-an-essential-part-of-an-innovative-nation-67303 Arts training is an essential part of an innovative nation]</ref><ref name=NoMinister>InDaily, 24 October 2016, [http://indaily.com.au/arts-and-culture/2016/10/24/no-minister-creative-arts-are-not-lifestyle-choice/ No minister, creative arts are not a "lifestyle choice"]</ref>
In May 2015, Brandis cut $26 million a year for four years from Australia Council arts funding, a third of its arts funding, receiving significant criticism from the arts community.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/art-and-design/george-brandis-turns-arts-into-political-football-with-1047m-australia-council-cuts-20150513-gh0d0n.html|title=George Brandis turns arts into 'political football' with $104.7m Australia Council cuts|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=13 May 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-17/brandis-accused-of-neglecting-arts-politicising-funding/6629322|title=Private arts donors Neil Balnaves and Luca Belgiorno-Nettis accuse George Brandis of neglecting arts community, politicising funding|work=ABC News|date=17 July 2015 }}</ref> The money was reallocated to a new program, the '''National Program for Excellence in the Arts''' (NPEA). NPEA in turn was criticised by many artists and arts organisations for lacking the "arms-length" funding principles that had applied to the relationship between the government and Australia Council since its inception in the 1970s. These principles have traditionally had bipartisan support.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/comment/the-regrettable-rise-of-the-arts-bureaucrat-20150518-gh4o01.html|title=The regrettable rise of the arts bureaucrat|work=The Age|date=19 May 2015 }}</ref><ref name="stuartglover">{{cite web|url=http://theconversation.com/writers-and-publishers-are-all-at-sea-under-brandis-and-the-npea-44842|title=Writers and publishers are all at sea under Brandis and the NPEA|author=Stuart Glover|date=20 July 2015|work=The Conversation}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://theconversation.com/the-australia-council-must-hold-firm-on-arms-length-funding-24460|title=The Australia Council must hold firm on 'arm's length' funding|work=The Conversation|date=17 March 2014 }}</ref> Brandis was criticised previously for giving Melbourne classical music record label Melba Recordings a $275,000 grant outside of the usual funding and peer-assessment processes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2015/jul/04/australias-arts-funding-crisis-george-brandis-one-man-show|title=George Brandis and the arts funding crisis: one hell of a one-man show|author=Ben Eltham|work=The Guardian|date=3 July 2015 }}</ref> Brandis's changes to funding arrangements, including the quarantining of the amount received by Australia's 28 major performing arts companies, were widely seen to disadvantage the small-to-medium arts sector and independent artists.<ref name="stuartglover"/>
Following Malcolm Turnbull's successful spill of the leadership of the Liberal party in September 2015, Brandis was replaced as arts minister by Mitch Fifield.<ref>''Sydney Morning Herald'', 20 September 2015, [http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/cabinet-reshuffle-artists-call-on-new-arts-minister-mitch-fifield-to-undo-the-damage-done-by-george-brandis-20150920-gjqvpk.html Cabinet reshuffle: artists call on new arts minister Mitch Fifield to 'undo the damage' done by George Brandis]</ref> In November Fifield gave back $8 million a year for four years to Australia Council, changed the NPEA to the '''Catalyst Fund''', and stressed it would have a focus on smaller arts projects. The arts community was not impressed by the changes.<ref>''Sydney Morning Herald'', 20 November 2015, [http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/art-and-design/rebranding-brandis-arts-fund-catalyst-wont-kill-off-national-program-for-excellence-in-the-arts-20151120-gl42nv.html Rebranding Brandis arts fund Catalyst won't kill off National Program for Excellence in the Arts]</ref><ref>ABC News, 20 February 2016, [http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-20/$105m-budget-cut-caught-australia-council-by-surprise:-emails/7185900?pfmredir=sm Australia Council budget cuts blindsided peak arts body's executive, documents show]</ref>
As a result of the reduced funding, Australia Council cancelled project funding rounds for small groups and individuals in 2015 and then cut funding to over 60 arts organisations across the country in May 2016. Small arts organisations such as the Contemporary Art Centre of South Australia (CACSA), Leigh Warren & Dancers and many others were affected, forcing them to contract, merge or make drastic changes to their programs.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.broadsheet.com.au/adelaide/art-and-design/ace-our-sleeves|title=An ACE Up Our Sleeves|work=Broadsheet|access-date=7 August 2019|language=en}}</ref>
In 2019, the Australia Council took over the commissioning of works for the Venice Biennale, which it does by open call for proposals.<ref name=ca/> The final selection is made by five independent experts, who first shortlist of six artists before selecting the successful candidate.<ref name=crabb>{{cite web | last=Crabb | first=Annabel |author-link= Annabel Crabb| title=How Creative Australia's perplexing backflip on Khaled Sabsabi defines our current moment of turmoil | website=ABC News | date=18 February 2025 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-19/creative-australia-venice-biennale-khaled-sabsabi/104952110 | access-date=24 February 2025}}</ref>
===={{anchor|revive}}<!--- for redirects--->''Revive'' national cultural policy (2023)====
The ''Australia Council Act 2013'' was amended by the ''Australia Council Amendment (Creative Australia) Act 2023'', by which instrument the new name and organisational structure was created on 24 August 2023, described as "an expanded and modernised Australia Council". The number of board members was doubled from 12 to 24, but it continues to be known as the Australia Council Board. Councils for Music Australia and Creative Workplaces (for the Centre for Art and Entertainment Workplaces, as mentioned in the National Cultural Policy – ''Revive: a place for every story, a story for every place'', created 30 January 2023) were created.<ref name=namechange2023>{{cite web | title=Home: Latest updates: Thursday 24 August 2023 | website=Creative Australia | date=22 September 2023 | url=https://creative.gov.au/creative-australia/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008052108/https://creative.gov.au/creative-australia/ | archive-date=8 October 2023 | url-status=live | access-date=11 October 2023}}</ref>
The Music Australia Council was appointed by Arts Minister Tony Burke in August 2023, consisting of eight members.<ref name=newstead2023>{{cite web | last=Newstead | first=Al | title=Meet the Music Australia Council tasked with solving local music's struggles| website=Double J | date=22 August 2023 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/listen/doublej/music-reads/features/music-australia-council-appointments-explainer/102763798 | access-date=18 October 2023}}</ref> The new legislation establishing this division came into effect on 24 August 2023.<ref name=ma2024sep>{{cite web |title=Music Australia |website=Creative Australia |date=10 September 2024 |url=https://creative.gov.au/music-australia |access-date=26 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240926105954/https://creative.gov.au/music-australia| archive-date=26 Sep 2024|url-status=live}}</ref>
The Creative Workplaces Council was announced on 11 August 2023 and commenced in their roles on Thursday 24 August 2023.<ref name=cw2024sep>{{cite web |title=Creative Workplaces |website=Creative Australia |date=26 September 2024 |url=https://creative.gov.au/creative-workplaces |access-date=26 September 2024| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240926110200/https://creative.gov.au/creative-workplaces| archive-date=26 Sep 2024|url-status=live}}</ref>
Still to follow (not included in the 2023 legislation) are the First Nations-led Board and Writers Australia, as outlined in the National Cultural Policy<ref name=namechange2023/> and the "Corporate Plan 2023–27".<ref>{{cite book| title=Corporate Plan 2023–27: Creativity Connect Us| url= https://creative.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Corporate-Plan-2023%E2%80%9327.pdf| date= 2023| publisher= Australian Government}}</ref>
In July 2024, the ''Creative Australia Amendment (Implementation of Revive) Act 2024'' created First Nations Arts and Writing Australia, which would be on equal footing with Creative Workplaces and Music Australia.<ref name=bill2024>{{cite web |title=Backing First Nations artists and Australian writers |website=Ministers for the Department of Infrastructure |date=4 July 2024 |url=https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/burke/media-release/backing-first-nations-artists-and-australian-writers |access-date=26 September 2024}}</ref><ref name=act2024>{{cite web |title=First Nations First |website=Creative Australia |date=26 September 2024 |url=https://creative.gov.au/advocacy-and-research/first-nations-arts/ |access-date=26 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Creative Australia Amendment (Implementation of Revive) Act 2024 |website=Federal Register of Legislation|publisher = Australian Parliament |date=9 July 2024 |url=https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2024A00063/asmade/text |access-date=26 September 2024}}</ref> This is the final piece of legislation in establishing all the functions of Creative Australia under the National Cultural Policy, ''Revive''.<ref name=wa2024sep>{{cite web |title=Writing Australia |website=Creative Australia |date=9 August 2024 |url=https://creative.gov.au/writing-australia/ |access-date=26 September 2024| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240926110943/https://creative.gov.au/writing-australia/ | archive-date=26 Sep 2024|url-status=live}}</ref>
The First Nations Board members were announced in September 2024.<ref name=holmes2024>{{cite web |last=Holmes |first=Dan |title=First Nations Arts Board members revealed |website=The Mandarin |date=11 September 2024 |url=https://www.themandarin.com.au/254556-first-nations-arts-board-members-revealed/ |access-date=26 September 2024}}</ref> The Act also establishes Writing Australia, due to commence on 1 July 2025.<ref name=wa2024sep/>
In May 2025, the chair of the agency, Robert Morgan, stepped aside in favour of his deputy, playwright Wesley Enoch, as an interim replacement.<ref name="Executive">{{cite news |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=25 May 2025 |archive-date=23 May 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250523153531/https://www.smh.com.au/culture/art-and-design/creative-australia-chair-retires-after-venice-furore-20250227-p5lftr.html |url=https://www.smh.com.au/culture/art-and-design/creative-australia-chair-retires-after-venice-furore-20250227-p5lftr.html |title=Creative Australia chair retires after Venice furore |first=Linda |last=Morris |date=23 May 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref>
==Function and governance== Creative Australia is the Australian Government's principal arts funding and advisory body. Its purpose is to promote and invest in Australian arts. It is "accountable to the Australian Parliament, and to the Government through the Minister for the Arts".<ref name=corpdocs>{{cite web | title=Corporate documents | website=Creative Australia | date=1 September 2023 | url=https://creative.gov.au/about-us/corporate-documents/ | access-date=11 October 2023}}</ref>
===People=== Adrian Collette {{post-nominals| country=AUS|AM}} became CEO of the Australia Council in January 2019 and remains in the position as CEO of Creative Australia {{as of|lc=yes|October 2023}}. He was formerly chief executive of Opera Australia.<ref>{{cite web | title=Adrian Collette AM, CEO | website=Creative Australia | date=31 August 2023 | url=https://creative.gov.au/news/biographies/adrian-collette-am-ceo/ | access-date=11 October 2023}}</ref>
Sam Walsh {{post-nominals| country=AUS|AO}} was appointed chair of the Australia Council in 2016. In July 2021, Robert Morgan was appointed chair.<ref name=newchair>{{cite web | title=Australia Council welcomes new Chair | website=Australian Arts Review | date=1 July 2021 | url=https://artsreview.com.au/australia-council-welcomes-new-chair/ | access-date=11 October 2023}}</ref> Morgan has a degree in economics, and had been head of Australia's largest advertising and marketing business, Clemenger Group, but is also passionate about the arts, and was a member of the board of Opera Australia for over 10 years.<ref>{{cite web | title=Robert Morgan, Chair | website=Creative Australia | date=31 August 2023 | url=https://creative.gov.au/news/biographies/robert-morgan/ | access-date=11 October 2023}}</ref>
Since 24 August 2023<ref>{{cite web | title=New Creative Australia board to lead arts sector revival | website=Ministers for the Department of Infrastructure | date=24 August 2023 | url=https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/burke/media-release/new-creative-australia-board-lead-arts-sector-revival | access-date=11 October 2023}}</ref> and {{as of|lc=yes|October 2023}}, Robert Morgan is the chair and Wesley Enoch {{post-nominals| country=AUS|AM}} deputy chair of Creative Australia.<ref name=people>{{cite web | title=Welcoming appointments to the Australia Council Board of Creative Australia | website=Creative Australia | date=23 August 2023 | url=https://creative.gov.au/news/media-releases/welcoming-appointments-to-the-australia-council-board-of-creative-australia/ | access-date=11 October 2023}}</ref>
==Divisions== ===Creative Workplaces=== Creative Workplaces aims to enable fair, safe, and respectful workplaces for artists, art workers, and arts organisations It provides information and resources about pay and workplace safety.<ref name=cw2024sep/> The Creative Workplaces council is headed by Victorian human rights lawyer and commissioner Kate Jenkins.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kate Jenkins AO to chair Creative Workplaces Council |website=Ministers for the Department of Infrastructure |date=11 August 2023 |url=https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/burke/media-release/kate-jenkins-ao-chair-creative-workplaces-council |access-date=26 September 2024}}</ref>
===Music Australia=== The Music Australia Council was appointed in August 2023, consisting of eight members:<ref name=newstead2023/> *Gordi, the folktronica singer-songwriter *Mama Kin, aka Danielle Caruana, a solo artist, co-founder of The Seed Fund *Fred Leone, the Butchulla songman *Michael Chugg, music promoter *Petrina Convey, owner of UNITY Mgmt. Group *Nathan McLay, founder and CEO of independent label and management company Future Classic *Fred Alale {{post-nominals| country=AUS|AM}}, co-founder and chair of African Music and Cultural Festival Inc. *Lisa Baker, arts and culture manager at City of Playford *Adrian Collette, CEO of Creative Australia
===First Nations Arts=== The First Nations Arts came into being in August 2024.<ref name=holmes2024/> It will be funded up to A$52 million from 2024 to 2025.<ref name=bill2024/> Its function is "to support and promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts practice, enhance sustainable career pathways for young First Nations people in the arts, and increase opportunities to grow First Nations audiences". It is overseen by the First Nations Board, with the first board commencing their term on 9 September. Each member serves a four-year term. The inaugural board consists of:<ref>{{cite web |title=Inaugural First Nations Board for the arts |website=Ministers for the Department of Infrastructure |date=9 September 2024 |url=https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/burke/media-release/inaugural-first-nations-board-arts |access-date=26 September 2024}}</ref><ref name=holmes2024/><ref>{{cite web |last=Torre |first=Giovanni |title=CIAF chief executive Dennis Stokes appointed to Creative Australia's new First Nations Board |website=National Indigenous Times |date=13 September 2024 |url=https://nit.com.au/13-09-2024/13704/ciaf-chief-executive-dennis-stokes-appointed-to-creative-australias-new-first-nations-board |access-date=26 September 2024}}</ref> {{div col|colwidth=30em}} * Philip Watkins, Co-Chair * Rachael Maza, Co-Chair * Clint Bracknell * Pauline Clague * Jeanette James * Deborah Mailman * Daniel Riley (AD of Australian Dance Theatre) * Rhoda Roberts * Dennis Stokes * Jared Thomas {{div col end}}
===Writing Australia=== Writing Australia commenced operations on 1 July 2025.<ref name=wa2024sep/> It will receive over A$26 million in funding over three years from 2025 to 2026 "to strengthen the Australian literature sector and develop further markets and audiences", at home and internationally. It will increase opportunities for writers and other creatives in literature, and establish a poet laureate for Australia.<ref name=bill2024/>
The Writing Australia Council inaugural members are:<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-07-01 |title=A NEW PAGE FOR AUSTRALIA’S LITERARY SECTOR |url=https://www.tonyburke.com.au/media-releases/2025/a-new-page-for-australias-literary-sector |access-date=2025-07-02 |website=Tony Burke MP |language=en-GB}}</ref>
* Larissa Behrendt (Chair) * Rachel Bin Salleh OAM * Sarah Holland-Batt * Sally Rippin * Tim Jarvis * Tommy Murphy * Julie Pinkham * Claire Pullen * Christos Tsiolkas
==Programs and initiatives== ===ACCELERATE === <!---redirects target this section.---> ACCELERATE was a leadership program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the creative arts, run jointly by the British Council and Australia Council, in partnership with state arts agencies, between 2009 and 2016. During that time, 35 people participated in the program, with many alumni going on to excel in their fields.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.britishcouncil.org.au/programmes/arts/accelerate| website=ACCELERATE| publisher=British Council|title= ACCELERATE Home| access-date=14 September 2021}}</ref>
==={{anchor|vac}}Visual Art, Craft and Design Framework=== <!---redirects target this section---> The Visual Arts and Crafts Strategy (VACS), a partnership between the federal and all state and territory governments in Australia, was established in 2003, with the aim of "providing stability to Australia's visual arts and craft sector". VACS delivered funding across all jurisdictions, with half provided by the Commonwealth and half by the states and territories. Its policy framework ran from 2021 to 2024, continuing under the rebranded Creative Australia.<ref>{{cite web | title=Visual Arts and Crafts Strategy (VACS) | website=Australia Council for the Arts | date= 2021 | url=https://australiacouncil.gov.au/investment-and-development/multi-year-investment/visual-arts-and-craft-strategy-vacs/ | access-date=11 October 2023}}</ref><!---nothing archived at this date--->
VACS was replaced by the Visual Art, Craft and Design Framework (VACDF) from 1 July 2025.<ref>{{cite web | title=Visual Arts and Craft Strategy | website=Creative Australia | date=11 June 2025 | url=https://creative.gov.au/investments-opportunities/multi-year-investment/visual-arts-craft-strategy | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250501082946/https://creative.gov.au/investments-opportunities/multi-year-investment/visual-arts-craft-strategy | archive-date=1 May 2025 | url-status=live | access-date=20 July 2025}}</ref> Covering the years 2025-2028, VACDF was established at a meeting of all state and federal cultural ministers held on 9 June 2023. It is the sixth iteration of a national visual arts strategy.<ref>{{cite web | title=Visual Art, Craft and Design Framework | website=Creative Australia | date=11 June 2025 | url=https://creative.gov.au/investments-opportunities/multi-year-investment/visual-art-craft-design-framework | access-date=20 July 2025}}</ref>
===Creative Futures Fund=== The Creative Futures Fund, announced by Creative Australia on 10 July 2025, is an initiative of the Australian Government's cultural policy,<ref name=ifacca2025>{{cite web | title=Bold and unexpected: Creative Futures Fund invests in new projects shaping our creative future | website=IFACCA | date=July 10, 2025 | url=https://ifacca.org/news/2025/07/10/bold-and-unexpected-creative-futures-fund-invests/ | access-date=20 July 2025}}</ref><ref name=cff2025>{{cite web | title=Creative Futures Fund 2025 | website=Creative Australia | date=11 July 2025 | url=https://creative.gov.au/creative-futures-fund | access-date=20 July 2025}}</ref> (called "Revive: a place for every story, a story for every place"), issued in January 2023 and set to run for five years.<ref>{{cite web | title=National Cultural Policy—Revive: a place for every story, a story for every place | website=Office for the Arts | date=9 February 2023 | url=https://www.arts.gov.au/publications/national-cultural-policy-revive-place-every-story-story-every-place | access-date=20 July 2025}}</ref><ref name=ncp2023>{{cite book | title=Revive: A place for every story, a story for every place|date= January 2023| ISBN =978-1-922521-87-3| url=https://www.arts.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/national-culturalpolicy-8february2023.pdf| series= INFRA5248 | access-date=20 July 2025| quote= Australia's Cultural Policy for the next five years.}}</ref>{{efn|The Creative Futures Fund is referenced in the cultural policy as "works of scale".<ref name=cff2025/>}} According to Creative Australia, "A key aim of the Fund is to leverage cross-sector partnerships to deliver ambitious works. The projects will intersect with fields from education, sport, science, agriculture, tourism and fashion through partnerships and collaborations".<ref name=cff2025/> The fund is headed by Wendy Martin. In its first round of funding, 14 organisations received development investment, while six received delivery investment, in a total of A$7.8 million.<ref name=cff2025/><ref>{{cite web | last=Blake | first=Jason | title=Creative Futures Fund announces $7.8 million for new Australian arts projects | website=Limelight | date=10 July 2025 | url=https://limelight-arts.com.au/news/creative-futures-fund-announces-7-8-million-for-new-australian-arts-projects/ | access-date=20 July 2025}}</ref> Recipients of the funding include: * Production of Suzie Miller's new play ''Strong Is the New Pretty'', to be delivered by Brisbane Festival in partnership with Sydney Theatre Company and Trish Wadley Productions,<ref name=ifacca2025/> directed by Lee Lewis<ref name=cff2025/> * An adaptation of Shaun Tan's ''Tales of the Inner City'', to be presented across Perth's CBD by the Perth Festival<ref name=ifacca2025/> * ''Songs and Stories of Iutruwita/Tasmania'', the first major musical work in the Tasmanian palawa language, featuring Dewayne Everettsmith; from the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra<ref name=ifacca2025/> * ''Kumarangk'',<ref name=cff2025/> written by Wotjobaluk and Ngarrindjeri playwright and screenwriter<ref>{{cite web | title=First Nations Spotlight: Tracey Rigney | website=VicScreen | date=3 March 2025 | url=https://vicscreen.vic.gov.au/news/first-nations-spotlight-tracey-rigney | access-date=20 July 2025}}</ref> Tracey Rigney and directed by Glenn Shea, a theatre work that tells the story of the women who led community resistance against the construction of the Hindmarsh Island Bridge, in Goolwa, South Australia from 1994 until 2001; produced by Country Arts SA<ref name=cff2025/> * ''Mama Does Derby'', by Virginia Gay, produced by Adelaide-based children's theatre company Windmill Theatre Company<ref name=cff2025/>
=={{anchor|awards}}Awards== ===Australia Council Awards=== The Australia Council Awards were established in or before 1981, with the numbers of awards awarded each year growing over time.<ref name=acarecipients>{{cite web | title=Australia Council Awards Alumni| website=Australia Council | url=https://www.australiacouncil.gov.au/news/events/australia-council-awards/australia-council-awards-alumni/ | access-date=14 April 2020}}</ref> {{as of|2021}} there were eight categories for achievement in various types of arts, called:<ref name=acawards>{{cite web | title=Australia Council Awards | website=Australia Council for the Arts | url=https://australiacouncil.gov.au/advocacy-and-research/events/australia-council-awards/ | access-date=10 March 2022}}</ref> * Australia Council Don Banks Music Award * Australia Council Lifetime Achievement in Literature * Australia Council Award for Dance * Australia Council Award for Visual Arts * Australia Council Award for Emerging and Experimental Arts * Australia Council Kirk Robson Award for Community Arts and Cultural Development * Australia Council Ros Bower Award for Community Arts and Cultural Development * Australia Council Award for Theatre
===Fellowships=== Australia Council Fellowships, worth {{AUD|80,000}}, "support creative activity and career development for mid-career and established artists". Past fellowship holders include: Hetti Perkins (2018), Lisa Maza (2017), Vicki Couzens (2016), Brenda L Croft (2015) and Reko Rennie (2015).<ref name=niaa/> They are awarded in the areas of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts; community arts and cultural development; dance; emerging and experimental arts; literature; music; theatre; and visual arts.<ref>{{cite web | title=Fellowships | website=Australia Council | date=28 August 2014 | url=https://www.australiacouncil.gov.au/funding/funding-index/fellowships/ | access-date=14 April 2020}}</ref>
==={{anchor|niaa}}First Nations Arts Awards=== <!---Redirects land here.---> {{distinguish|National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art Award|National Indigenous Heritage Art Award}} The annual '''National Indigenous Arts Awards''' ('''NIAA''') were established by the Australia Council in 2007.<ref>{{cite web | title=National Indigenous Arts Awards | website=Brisbane Art Guide – BNE ART | url=http://bneart.com/national-indigenous-arts-awards/ | access-date=27 July 2021}}</ref> Renamed as the '''First Nations Arts Awards''' in 2020,<ref>{{cite book|url=https://www.transparency.gov.au/annual-reports/australia-council/reporting-year/2019-20| chapter-url=https://www.transparency.gov.au/annual-reports/australia-council/reporting-year/2019-20-16| title= Australia Council Annual Report 2019-20| author= Australia Council for the Arts |chapter=Objective 3: First Nations arts and culture are cherished| others=Source: 2019–23 Corporate plan p.21}}</ref> {{as of|lc=yes|2022}} they include four categories, all restricted to Australian First Nations artists:<ref name=fnawards>{{cite web | title=National Indigenous Arts Awards | website=Australia Council | url=https://www.australiacouncil.gov.au/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-arts/first-nations-arts-awards/ | access-date=27 July 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610063602/https://www.australiacouncil.gov.au/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-arts/first-nations-arts-awards/| archive-date= 10 June 2021| url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=niaa>{{cite web | title=About the Dreaming Award | website=Australia Council | url=https://australiacouncil.gov.au/investment-and-development/first-nations-arts-and-culture/the-dreaming-award/ | access-date=6 November 2022}}</ref> *The Dreaming Award, established in 2012, "to support an inspirational young artist aged 18-26 years to create a major body of work through mentoring and partnerships", with Nakkiah Lui winning the inaugural award *The Red Ochre Award, established in 1993, a lifetime award for outstanding lifetime achievement in the arts, is awarded annually to both a male and female recipient *The First Nations Arts Fellowship, to support the creation of a major work *The First Nations Emerging Career Development Award, which supports two artists or arts workers to pursue their professional development
The awards ceremony is held event is held on 27 May each year, on the anniversary of the 1967 referendum. At the event, Indigenous Australians who have been awarded Fellowships (in 2018–2019, Vernon Ah Kee for visual art, and Ali Cobby Eckermann, for literature), and First Nations artists who received Australia Council Awards earlier in the year are also celebrated.<ref name=apn>{{cite web | title=Celebrating strength, pride and achievement of First Nations artists at National Indigenous Arts Awards | website=Australian Pride Network | date=28 May 2019 | url=https://australianpridenetwork.com.au/celebrating-strength-pride-and-achievement-of-first-nations-artists-at-national-indigenous-arts-awards/ | access-date=14 April 2020}}</ref>
==Controversies==<!---see WP:CONTROVERSY AND WP:CRIT --- can we find a better way to do these?---> ===Casey Jenkins (2020)=== In May 2020 the Australia Council awarded a {{AUD|25,000}} grant to performance artist Casey Jenkins for a piece titled ''Immaculate'', incorporating a live stream of Jenkins self-inseminating. Following adverse media coverage, the council suspended the funding hours before the first performance on 19 August, and formally rescinded the grant on 21 September 2020. The council stated that the withdrawal of the grant was not due to negative media coverage, but followed legal advice about the organisation's liabilities if pregnancy resulted. Jenkins said that the council had "grossly and insultingly mischaracterised my artwork". Writer and social commentator Ben Eltham wrote that the council's actions might have a chilling effect on performance art in Australia.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2020/oct/17/casey-jenkins-v-australia-council-when-controversial-art-loses-funding-what-does-it-mean-for-culture|title=Casey Jenkins v Australia Council: When controversial art loses funding, what does it mean for culture?|publisher=Guardian Australia|date=17 October 2020|access-date=17 October 2020|first=Ben|last=Eltham| author-link=Ben Eltham}}</ref> After a lengthy Federal Court case, Creative Australia admitted fault, settling the case for a six-figure sum and a public apology and training.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-19 |title=Settlement of proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia, Victorian Division (Casey Jenkins Sh v Australia Council for the Arts VID187/2021) |url=https://creative.gov.au/news/media-releases/statement-settlement-of-proceedings-in-the-federal-court-of-victoria/ |access-date=2025-03-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519153610/https://creative.gov.au/news/media-releases/statement-settlement-of-proceedings-in-the-federal-court-of-victoria/ |archive-date=19 May 2024 }}</ref>
===Venice Biennale selection (2025)=== {{further|Khaled Sabsabi}} In February 2025, a controversy occurred after Creative Australia first announced the selection of Khaled Sabsabi and curator Michael Dagostino to represent Australia at the Australia Pavilion at the 2026 Venice Biennale,<ref>{{cite web | last=Haydar | first=Nour | title=Khaled Sabsabi to represent Australia at Venice Biennale: 'I felt this wouldn't happen because of who I am' | website=The Guardian | date=7 February 2025 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/feb/07/khaled-sabsabi-to-represent-australia-at-venice-biennale-i-felt-this-wouldnt-happen-because-of-who-i-am | access-date=24 February 2025}}</ref> then revoked the commission a week later, stating that it “believes a prolonged and divisive debate about the 2026 selection outcome poses an unacceptable risk to public support for Australia’s artistic community”.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Venice Biennale 2026 |url=https://creative.gov.au/news/media-releases/venice-biennale-2026/ |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=Creative Australia |language=en-US}}</ref> There were at least three resignations at Creative Australia in protest at the decision: visual arts department head Mikala Tai, program manager Tahmina Maskinyar,<ref>{{cite web | last=Burke | first=Kelly | title=Creative Australia hit by resignations over decision to withdraw Khaled Sabsabi from Venice Biennale | website=the Guardian | date=14 February 2025 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/feb/14/head-of-creative-australia-quits-over-boards-decision-to-withdraw-khaled-sabsabi-from-venice-biennale-ntwnfb | access-date=24 February 2025}}</ref> and artist Lindy Lee, who was a board member. Many others in the art world also protested via open letters or petitions,<ref name=solomon2025>{{cite web | last=Solomon | first=Tessa | title=Khaled Sabsabi Will Not Be Reinstated as Australia's Venice Biennale Representative | website=ARTnews.com | date=20 February 2025 | url=https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/khaled-sabsabi-not-reinstated-australia-venice-biennale-pavilion-1234732903/ | access-date=24 February 2025}}</ref> and a statement addressed to Creative Australia by Archie Moore and curator Ellie Buttrose, who presented their prizewinning ''kith and kin'' at the 2024 Venice Biennale, called for reinstatement of Sabsabi and Agostino,<ref name=artrev>{{cite web | title=Former Australia Pavilion team calls for reinstatement of dropped 2026 artist | website=ArtReview | date=19 February 2025 | url=https://artreview.com/former-australia-pavilion-team-calls-for-reinstatement-of-dropped-2026-artist/ | access-date=24 February 2025}}</ref> to no avail. Staff were told by chair Robert Morgan and CEO Adrian Collette on 20 February that the withdrawal decision would not be revised.<ref>{{cite web | last=Burke | first=Kelly | title=Creative Australia says it won't reinstate artist Khaled Sabsabi for Venice Biennale at tense all-staff meeting | website=The Guardian | date=20 February 2025 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/feb/20/creative-australia-says-it-wont-reinstate-artist-khaled-sabsabi-for-venice-biennale-at-tense-all-staff-meeting | access-date=24 February 2025}}</ref>
After an independent external review of the decision by Blackhall & Pearl, the pair were reinstated on 2 July 2025.<ref>{{cite web | last=Haydar | first=Nour | last2=Burke | first2=Kelly | title=Khaled Sabsabi reinstated as Venice Biennale representative after independent review into dumping | website=The Guardian | date=2 July 2025 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2025/jul/02/khaled-sabsabi-reinstated-as-venice-biennale-representative-ntwnfb | access-date=3 July 2025}}</ref> The following day, acting chair of Creative Australia Wesley Enoch apologised for the "hurt and pain" caused by the rescindment.<ref>{{cite web | last=Fleming | first=Tessa | title=reative Australia head apologises for 'hurt and pain' amid Khaled Sabsabi reinstatement for Venice Biennale | website=ABC News | date=3 July 2025 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-03/creative-australia-chair-wesley-enoch-apologises-khaled-sabsabi/105492246 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20250703100155/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-03/creative-australia-chair-wesley-enoch-apologises-khaled-sabsabi/105492246| archive-date=3 July 2025 | url-status=live | access-date=3 July 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Burke | first=Kelly | title=Creative Australia apologises to Khaled Sabsabi for ‘hurt and pain’ after Venice Biennale reinstatement | website=The Guardian | date=3 July 2025 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/jul/03/creative-australia-apologises-to-khaled-sabsabi-for-hurt-and-pain-after-venice-biennale-reinstatement-ntwnfb | access-date=3 July 2025}}</ref>
==Notes== {{reflist|group=lower-alpha}} ==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{official|https://creative.gov.au/creative-australia/}} * {{AusStage|organisation/555}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Organizations established in 1968 Australia Council Category:Commonwealth Government agencies of Australia Category:Arts organisations based in Australia Category:1968 establishments in Australia