Diversity at the Australia Council
For further information please contact:
CEF Facilitator, Caitlin Vaughan
Ph: (02) 9215 9053
E: c.vaughan@australiacouncil.gov.au
Our commitment to diversity
Since the creation of the Australia Council in 1968, Council has developed policies, strategies and programs which aim to ensure that opportunities to enjoy and participate in the arts are not constrained by an individual’s background or life circumstances. The Council is committed to ensuring that the wealth of artistic and cultural skills, experience and resources resulting from Australia’s diversity are given the opportunity to develop, flourish and contribute to a distinctly Australian style of artistic excellence and innovation. Over time the Council has introduced a range of policies and strategies focusing on specific demographics and other identity markers.
We regularly reflect on how these diverse strategies, policies and initiatives are relevant and effective in a 21st century context, and how they intersect with the multiplicity of identities across our nation. In 2007 the Council announced our Cultural Engagement Framework (CEF), aimed at ensuring equity of access to our grants and initiatives. This Framework was grounded in a commitment to providing all Australians with the opportunity to enjoy and participate in the arts and to supporting artistic excellence.
The Australia Council’s focus on diversity was reaffirmed within the functions of the Australia Council Act 2013, including a function to support Australian arts practice that reflects the diversity of Australia. Further development of the CEF was undertaken through the significant reform work in 2014-15.
In 2016 the Council reaffirmed its commitment to the CEF, including updating the priority areas to include a focus on older people. The Council has also refreshed the Diversity Team – a group within the organisation that guides the planning and monitoring of strategies to embed the CEF across every aspect of the Council.
Implementation of the CEF is a responsibility shared across all Divisions and teams of the Australia Council. This process is led by the CEO and Executive, with guidance from Council’s Diversity Team – a group within Council that guides the planning and monitoring of our diversity commitments.
The Australia Council is also committed to calling upon the expertise of people within the sector, and we will undertake consultation when appropriate to measure our performance and assist us in updating our CEF strategies and action plans. We provide updates on achievements and performance on the CEF through our website and annual report.
National Arts and Disability Awards 2019-21
These prestigious national awards recognise outstanding and sustained contributions by Australian artists in all areas of practice – music, literature, community arts and cultural development (CACD), emerging and experimental arts (EEA), visual arts, theatre, dance or a combination of any of these areas.
We welcome nominations that demonstrate the rich intersectionality across diversity areas which Australia’s arts and disability sector is known for.
Award Categories
The National Arts and Disability Award (Established Artist) celebrates the achievements of an Australian artist: $50,000
The National Arts and Disability Award (Emerging Artist) recognises a young Australian artist demonstrating outstanding leadership: $20,000.
Learn more
The power of great art to create a genuinely inclusive cultural landscape
Counting and Cracking, an ambitious co-production by Belvoir and Co‑Curious, embodies this power. A large-scale theatrical work telling a Sri Lankan-Australian story written by S. Shakthidharan and directed by Eamon Flack, Counting and Cracking has connected communities and continents and made a profound contribution to our unfolding national story.
Promoting healthy aging, connection and inclusion through the arts
Led by artists Tristan Meecham and Bec Reid, All The Queens Men champion social equality through theatrical and participatory arts experiences that connect communities, audiences and artists. This includes The Coming Back Out Ball, which is a spectacular celebration of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Gender Diverse and Intersex elders, and The LGBTI+ Elders Dance Club.