News and Events

The Australia Council for the Arts supports the artists and arts organisations through a range of activities and programs, including news and events.

Stay up to date with the latest news about the Australia Council and Australian arts below. Visit our Media Centre for all media enquiries and our latest media releases.

Brianna Roberts
Manager Media
B.Roberts@australiacouncil.gov.au
+61 (2) 9215 9030

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Twitter: @auscouncilarts
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Featured Media Releases

Australia Council welcomes Franchesca Cubillo as Executive Director, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts

17 Feb 2021

Franchesca Cubillo is a proud Yanuwa, Larrakia, Bardi, and Wardaman woman from the Top End of the Northern Territory. Ms Cubillo joins the Australia Council with more than 30 years’ experience in the museum and art gallery sector.

Vale Seaman Dan

03 Feb 2021

The Australia Council wishes to acknowledge the recent passing of Henry Gibson 'Seaman' Dan and pay tribute to his commitment and contribution to Australian music and culture. Seaman Dan was a Torres Strait Island singer and guitarist whose songs, sung in both English and Torres Strait Creole, received numerous accolades. He toured both locally and internationally, helping to build recognition of First Nations arts and culture.

Investment in First Nations arts and culture through Cherish Fund

21 Dec 2020

The Australia Council has invested $1.4m in 37 organisations through the Cherish Fund, established to invest in First Nations arts and culture during a year of extraordinary disruption.

A communique from our CEO

18 Dec 2020

We are currently facing an historic opportunity. As 2020 comes to a close, we can rethink, reset and reimagine as we rebuild. We can draw on what we have learnt from 2020’s global disruptions, personal challenges and ongoing crises, and on what has sustained us through them.

Strong investment in youth theatre, literature and First Nations art in latest Australia Council grants

09 Dec 2020

The Australia Council’s latest arts projects grant round delivers $8.4 million to support 217 creative projects and cultural activities for the benefit of all Australians. Executive Director, Arts Investment, Alice Nash said the latest investment would fuel creative and cultural production and deliver public value.

Celebrating outstanding achievement at the 2020 National Arts and Disability Awards

03 Dec 2020

Emily Crockford, Gaelle Mellis and Abbie Madden have been named recipients of the 2020 National Arts and Disability Awards, presented by the Australia Council for the Arts and Arts Access Australia. On the International Day of People with Disability, the national awards recognise artists who have made an outstanding contribution to the artistic and cultural life of the nation.

Creativity in schools essential to preparing young people for future uncertainty and change

21 Oct 2020

New research released today by the Australia Council for the Arts provides powerful evidence for the wide-reaching benefits of creativity in education. Cultivating Creativity: A study of the Sydney Opera House’s Creative Leadership in Learning Program shows creative learning approaches help build confidence, improve academic engagement and prepare young people for future disruption and change. It also transforms teaching staff and the school community. The report reveals that applying creativity has the potential to holistically impact children – academically, socially and emotionally - and enhance learning across a range of academic subjects.

Connected by creativity – Australia Council year in review

20 Oct 2020

The Australia Council has released its latest Annual Report, Connected by creativity, detailing its investment in arts and creativity that connected Australians during 2019-20. During a year of radical disruption, the Australia Council’s investment supported 21.1 million live attendances in Australia (prior to COVID-19) and 7,855 Australian artworks with a public outcome through an exhibition, performance, publication or recording.

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