About us

The Australia Council for the Arts is the Australian Government's arts funding and advisory body.

It enriches the lives of Australians and their communities by supporting the creation and enjoyment of the arts.

The Australia Council cultivates the nation’s creativity by investing in artists and arts organisations working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts, community partnerships, dance, literature, music, theatre, visual arts and multi-artform practices.

In 2006-07, the Australia Council provided $156 million in total funding through 1799 grants, projects and initiatives to artists and arts organisations. This funding supported the creation of 4476 new artistic works, the presentation of 3636 new artistic works and 9.3 million attendances at arts events.

The Australia Council:

• invests in the creativity of the nation’s artists and opportunities for all Australians to enjoy their work
• supports Australian artists and arts organisations through funding programs
• builds the capacity of the arts sector by providing advice and operational resources
• researches the arts and culture to underpin our programs and the development of arts policy
• develops cultural policy and advises governments on issues relating to the arts
• facilitates partnerships between artists, governments and business that build a stronger arts sector
• promotes the value of the arts and helps build new audiences at home and overseas
• advocates with governments and the community to increase the role of the arts in the lives of Australians.