Philanthropy
Philanthropy and the arts
Over the past two decades, the Australian Government has increased support for the arts and cultural sector by forming strategic partnerships and undertaking reforms to build greater community and business engagement, philanthropy and corporate social responsibility.
In 2003, a new government initiative, Artsupport Australia, was launched to grow cultural philanthropy. It has since played a leadership role in providing the arts and cultural sector with skills and resources to confidently engage with the philanthropic sector and to diversify funding sources for greater sustainability.
Today, individuals and philanthropic trusts recognise that the arts are capable of addressing a vast number of social and community needs including at-risk youth, health and homelessness (case studies). However, much more can still be done and Artsupport Australia remains committed to helping artists, arts organisations and the philanthropic and business sectors to unlock this capacity and forge a stronger community of arts philanthropists.
Image: Transpositions exhibition. Photo by Wendy Kimpton.
Artsupport Australia was launched in 2003 by the former Prime Minister, John Howard AC, for the sole purpose of growing cultural philanthropy in Australia. It began as a three-year joint pilot between the Australia Council for the Arts and the Australia Business Arts Foundation (AbaF).
In 2006, Artsupport Australia began operating solely under the auspices of the Australia Council and has grown from two staff members in the Sydney headquarters to include managers located within the state/territory arts ministries of Darwin, Brisbane, Perth, Melbourne and Western Sydney. Read more
Meet the team
Artsupport Australia has two staff in Sydney and managers in Darwin, Brisbane, Perth, Melbourne and Western Sydney. The team has extensive experience in fields such as law, fund-raising, marketing and arts management and has a strong understanding of philanthropy or charitable giving. View team profiles
View our latest newsletter
Artsupport Australia publishes a quarterly newsletter that includes a round-up of news and opportunities in philanthropy around the country. View the latest issue
Featured case studies
Australian Book Review
2010 was a watershed year for Australian Book Review’s (ABR) philanthropic program, with its Patron Program trebling in number.
Chamber Made Orchestra
Melbourne’s Chamber Made Opera has developed a highly personal way of connecting with current and prospective donors.
Queensland Symphony Orchestra
The Queensland Symphony Orchestra’s philanthropy program has become personal.
Ian RT Colless
Philanthropic funding is helping dancer/choreographer, Ian RT Colless, develop his skills in the Big Apple.
An arts guide to philanthropic gifts and tax: the dry stuff
This guide will help not-for-profit cultural organisations and individual artists understand the formalities associated with receiving philanthropic gifts.
This is your one-stop-shop for tax and legal information about philanthropic fundraising.
> Find out more
Mitchell Arts Review
Arts Minister Simon Crean has announced Mr Harold Mitchell AC, the Executive Chairman of the Mitchell Communication Group, will chair a review of private sector support for the arts in Australia.
Read the Minister's press release here.
The Artsupport Australia model
A summary of the Artsupport Australia rationale, model and programs is available a here.
Another perspective is available in the first issue of e-journal Cultural Policy Update (page 44, March 2011 edition).
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