The Australia Council's CEO

National Arts and Disability Awards 2020

The National Arts and Disability Awards 2020 were live streamed on Thursday 3 December.

The Australia Council National Arts and Disability Awards celebrate the work and achievements of established and emerging artists, and the significant contribution of artists with disability to the vibrancy of Australian arts.

Australia Council 2019-2020 Annual Report

Necessary distancing measures to protect Australians from the COVID-19 pandemic, including restrictions on public gatherings and travel, have caused unprecedented disruption to social and economic life in Australia. This disruption is having devastating impacts for Australia’s cultural and creative workers and industries with the cancellation of events and programs across the country as well as international engagements. The Australia Council acknowledges the hardship and isolation felt by the cultural and creative workforce at this time. We also acknowledge the impacts of the temporary closure of arts organisations and the cancellation of arts programs and events on the collective wellbeing of all Australians. 

Re-activate: beyond step three – a new resource to support COVID-19 recovery

The Australia Council has announced the latest resource in our Re-ignite suite - Re-activate: beyond step three.

This resource sets out industry standards and protocols for the arts and cultural industry to consider in preparation for moving into the next phase of Australia’s response to COVID-19.

These protocols will assist artists and organisations as restrictions ease and provide essential advice regarding the next steps for the arts and cultural industry. This resource is intended to support the cultural industry in considering key elements for re-opening as states and territories move towards re-opening.

Corporate Plan 2019-2023

Creativity is innate to humanity and is the wellspring of culture. We are all connected through arts and creativity. Our arts are vital expressions of human experience. 

They embody individual and collective stories, histories, identities and help us understand what it means to be human. They connect us to our past and imagine our future.

Our First Nations cultures connect us to over 75,000 years of living culture and knowledge and the country on which we live.

The shared stories of millions of diverse peoples who now call Australia home promote mutual understanding and respect and connect us to a global community.

Australia Council Response

The Australia Council has today announced a Resilience Fund of approximately $5M for artists and arts organisations to support their livelihoods, practice and operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

CEO Adrian Collette AM said this new measure within the Council’s existing budget is essential during this critical period when the cultural and creative sectors are experiencing immediate and enormous challenges due to the impact of the virus. 

“Last week the Australia Council suspended many investment programs and repurposed all available uncommitted funds from this financial year to immediately respond to the COVID-19 crisis. "