Statement of Purpose
The Australia Council is the Australian Government’s arts funding and advisory body. Our vision and mission is to enrich our nation by supporting the practice and enjoyment of the arts. In pursuing this vision, we focus on the creation, presentation and appreciation of distinctive cultural works by providing assistance to Australian artists and making their works accessible to the public. We collaborate with others to build new audiences, foster philanthropic support and deepen our understanding of the arts through research.
Our enabling act, the Australia Council Act 1975 requires us to:
- Promote excellence in the arts and encourage the provision of, opportunities for persons to practise the arts
- Foster the expression of a national identity by means of the arts
- Promote the knowledge and appreciation of Australian arts by persons in other countries
- Promote the understanding, enjoyment and participation in the arts by Australians
- Uphold and promote the right of persons to freedom in the practice of the arts
- Encourage the support of the arts by the States, local governing bodies and other persons and organizations.
We will fulfil our functions as set out in our enabling Act and fulfil our role as the Australian Government’s principal arts funding agency.
The Australia Council’s Leadership Role
The Australia Council has a leadership role in increasing awareness of arts issues at a government, policy and organisational level. We encourage support of the arts by the States, local governing bodies, and other persons and organisations. To achieve our mission and help artists and arts organisations excel in their arts practice and give Australians the opportunity to experience and enjoy the arts, we:
- Develop arts funding policy and provide advice to the Australian Government
- Invest in opportunities for all Australians to enjoy the arts
- Research the arts and culture sectors to identify audience behaviours and patterns to develop a more detailed picture of what triggers and motivates Australians to engage in the arts. The results will inform participation and build audience development plans for arts organisations, government and other agencies working in the arts. Together this research and data will support the sector’s capacity to interact with, engage and understand their audiences
- Facilitate partnerships between artists, governments, business and communities
- Support artists and organisations through funding programs
- Promote the arts in all their diversity and build new audiences in Australia and overseas
- Monitor trends in the arts sector for opportunities and challenges and provide transition pathways for artists to access funding and assist their professional development
- Promote business and philanthropic involvement in the arts to provide a valuable source of income for arts and arts organisations and grow broader community support for the arts.
The Australia Council will engage strategically and be responsive to the Australian Government. It will:
- Continue to be responsive to Government and work in a timely, cooperative manner with the Office for the Arts in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) and other portfolio agencies to effectively fulfil the Australia Council's functions as set out in the Australia Council Act 1975
- Contribute to, or lead initiatives across the arts sector to support and implement the policies of the Australian Government including Cultural Ministers Council initiatives
Keep DPMC and the Minister fully informed of our activities and of any significant matters in a timely manner
- Develop and maintain effective relationships with key stakeholders, in both the public and the private sectors
- Develop effective strategic planning documents and implement the strategic plan, business priorities and budget portfolio performance measures
- Meet and maintain the highest standards and best practice of corporate governance to comply with our governance and legal obligations.
The Australia Council will ensure the widest possible access to the arts
In engaging the public to a greater appreciation of the arts, we provide and implement a range of programs and use technology to assess and increase general public awareness and public engagement. We will:
- Increase the visibility of our activities in the sector to provide access to audiences in Australian suburbs, regions and rural areas
- Continue to explore and develop multi-platform collaborations and partnerships for the delivery of arts digital content
- Raise the international profile of Australian contemporary culture, maximising exposure of the work and facilitate greater artistic collaborations and financial returns for the artist
- Partner with national and international arts and cultural agencies (such as ABAF and IFACCA), state, territory and local governments to effectively fulfil the Australia Council’s role as the Australian Government’s principal arts funding agency
- Continue to build relationships with the arts and other sectors in Australia through collaboration on exhibitions, supporting exchanges and staging and participating in national and international activities.
Our Governance Framework
The Australia Council’s governance practices derive principally from the Australia Council Act 1975 and the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997. We will continue to manage our financial affairs diligently and in accordance with our legislative requirements.
In performing its functions and exercising its powers, the Australia Council has regard to the policies and directions of the Australian Government. Within this framework, the governing board of the Council is responsible for the corporate governance of the agency, including determining the priorities, policies and budgetary framework within which the Australia Council and its boards and committees operate.
All new members of the governing Council, its boards and committees undergo an induction program and receive a comprehensive orientation pack detailing their role and responsibilities and adherence to the Australia Council Code of Conduct.
Strategic Priorities for 2010-2011
<h4>Statement of Purpose</h4>
<p>The Australia Council is the Australian Government’s arts funding and advisory body. Our vision and mission is to enrich our nation by supporting the practice and enjoyment of the arts. In pursuing this vision, we focus on the creation, presentation and appreciation of distinctive cultural works by providing assistance to Australian artists and making their works accessible to the public. We collaborate with others to build new audiences, foster philanthropic support and deepen our understanding of the arts through research. </p>
<p>Our enabling act, the Australia Council Act 1975 requires us to:</p> <ul> <li>Promote excellence in the arts and encourage the provision of, opportunities for persons to practise the arts</li> <li>Foster the expression of a national identity by means of the arts</li> <li>Promote the knowledge and appreciation of Australian arts by persons in other countries</li> <li>Promote the understanding, enjoyment and participation in the arts by Australians</li> <li>Uphold and promote the right of persons to freedom in the practice of the arts</li> <li>Encourage the support of the arts by the States, local governing bodies and other persons and organizations.</li> </ul>
<p>We will fulfil our functions as set out in our enabling Act and fulfil our role as the Australian Government’s principal arts funding agency.</p> <h4>The Australia Council’s Leadership Role</h4>
<p>The Australia Council has a leadership role in increasing awareness of arts issues at a government, policy and organisational level. We encourage support of the arts by the States, local governing bodies, and other persons and organisations. To achieve our mission and help artists and arts organisations excel in their arts practice and give Australians the opportunity to experience and enjoy the arts, we:</p> <ul> <li>Develop arts funding policy and provide advice to the Australian Government</li> <li>Invest in opportunities for all Australians to enjoy the arts</li> <li>Research the arts and culture sectors to identify audience behaviours and patterns to develop a more detailed picture of what triggers and motivates Australians to engage in the arts. The results will inform participation and build audience development plans for arts organisations, government and other agencies working in the arts. Together this research and data will support the sector’s capacity to interact with, engage and understand their audiences</li> <li>Facilitate partnerships between artists, governments, business and communities</li> <li>Support artists and organisations through funding programs</li> <li>Promote the arts in all their diversity and build new audiences in Australia and overseas</li> <li>Monitor trends in the arts sector for opportunities and challenges and provide transition pathways for artists to access funding and assist their professional development</li> <li>Promote business and philanthropic involvement in the arts to provide a valuable source of income for arts and arts organisations and grow broader community support for the arts.</li> </ul> <h4>The Australia Council will engage strategically and be responsive to the Australian Government. It will:</h4> <ul> <li>Continue to be responsive to Government and work in a timely, cooperative manner with the Office for the Arts in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) and other portfolio agencies to effectively fulfil the Australia Council's functions as set out in the Australia Council Act 1975</li> <li>Contribute to, or lead initiatives across the arts sector to support and implement the policies of the Australian Government including Cultural Ministers Council initiatives
<br /> Keep DPMC and the Minister fully informed of our activities and of any significant matters in a timely manner</li> <li>Develop and maintain effective relationships with key stakeholders, in both the public and the private sectors</li> <li>Develop effective strategic planning documents and implement the strategic plan, business priorities and budget portfolio performance measures</li> <li>Meet and maintain the highest standards and best practice of corporate governance to comply with our governance and legal obligations.</li> </ul> <h4>The Australia Council will ensure the widest possible access to the arts</h4>
<p>In engaging the public to a greater appreciation of the arts, we provide and implement a range of programs and use technology to assess and increase general public awareness and public engagement. We will:</p> <ul> <li>Increase the visibility of our activities in the sector to provide access to audiences in Australian suburbs, regions and rural areas</li> <li>Continue to explore and develop multi-platform collaborations and partnerships for the delivery of arts digital content</li> <li>Raise the international profile of Australian contemporary culture, maximising exposure of the work and facilitate greater artistic collaborations and financial returns for the artist</li> <li>Partner with national and international arts and cultural agencies (such as ABAF and IFACCA), state, territory and local governments to effectively fulfil the Australia Council’s role as the Australian Government’s principal arts funding agency</li> <li>Continue to build relationships with the arts and other sectors in Australia through collaboration on exhibitions, supporting exchanges and staging and participating in national and international activities.</li> </ul> <h4>Our Governance Framework</h4>
<p>The Australia Council’s governance practices derive principally from the Australia Council Act 1975 and the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997. We will continue to manage our financial affairs diligently and in accordance with our legislative requirements.</p>
<p>In performing its functions and exercising its powers, the Australia Council has regard to the policies and directions of the Australian Government. Within this framework, the governing board of the Council is responsible for the corporate governance of the agency, including determining the priorities, policies and budgetary framework within which the Australia Council and its boards and committees operate.</p>
<p>All new members of the governing Council, its boards and committees undergo an induction program and receive a comprehensive orientation pack detailing their role and responsibilities and adherence to the Australia Council Code of Conduct.</p>
<p> </p><a href="http://www.australiacouncil.gov.au/about_us/strategies_and_policies/strategic_priorities">Strategic Priorities for 2010-2011 (link to page)</a>
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