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Featured Media Releases

Announcing Australia’s artistic team for Biennale Arte 2021

01 Nov 2019

As Commissioner for Australia, the Australia Council is pleased to announce Marco Fusinato and Alexie Glass-Kantor have been selected as the artist and curator for Australia’s representation at the 59th International Art Exhibition of la Biennale di Venezia (Biennale Arte 2021). Fusinato’s exhibition will be presented at the Australian Pavilion within the historic Giardini della Biennale precinct from May to November 2021.

Valuing the Arts – highlights from the Australia Council’s year in review

18 Oct 2019

The Australia Council’s investment in the arts in 2018-19 supported the creation of more than 9,500 new Australian works and compelling arts experiences that reached more than 22 million people across the globe. The impact of the Australia Council’s investment is outlined in the Australia Council’s latest Annual Report 2018-19 tabled in Federal Parliament this week.

Vale Martin Wesley-Smith

02 Oct 2019

The Australia Council acknowledges the passing of Australian composer Martin Wesley-Smith, and recognises his celebrated career in Australia music, as well as his contribution to the Australia Council over many years. Martin was a member of the Australia Council’s Music Board from 1974 – 1978. He held numerous roles from the late 80s to early 90s including as an advisor and member of the Performing Arts Board.

Vale Lorri Whiting

30 Sep 2019

The Australia Council wishes to acknowledge the passing of Lorri Whiting, and recognise her significant contribution to the arts, in particular her support for Australian writers through the BR Whiting Studio. Lorri Whiting (nee Fraser) was born in Australia in 1927. She moved to Italy in 1955, and achieved significant success as a sculptor and painter in Europe. She established the BR Whiting Studio, an apartment in Rome, which she gifted to the Australia Council in honour of her late husband, B.R ‘Bertie’ Whiting.

Strong success continues for First Nations artists in Australia Council grants

09 Sep 2019

The Australia Council’s latest grants and fellowships announced today show a continued trend of strong success for First Nations artists. A total investment of $6.2 million will support 201 project and development grants for individuals, groups and small to medium arts organisations.

Creativity Connects Us – Australia Council’s new vision for the arts

30 Aug 2019

The Australia Council has today announced its new vision for a creatively connected Australia where creative enterprise is entrenched across society, industry and government as the  fuel that ignites our social, cultural and economic  success.  Creativity Connects Us is the new five year strategy for the Australia Council for the Arts, the Australian Government's principal arts funding and advisory body.

Vale Kerry Reed-Gilbert

17 Jul 2019

It is with great sadness that the Australia Council for the Arts acknowledges the passing of Kerry Reed-Gilbert, Wiradjuri Elder, poet, writer, mentor, editor, artist and activist. Kerry was an inspiration to the literary sector through her tireless work to establish FNAWN, First Nations Australia Writers Network, the peak body for Australian First Nations writers, poets and storytellers. As FNAWN’s inaugural Chairperson from 2012 to 2016, Kerry championed Indigenous Australian writers through her leadership and advocacy. Kerry’s work at FNAWN reflected her passionate belief in self-determination and self-management for Australia’s sovereign peoples.

New research highlights Australian music’s global export value and strong international success

12 Jul 2019

The Australian music industry makes an estimated $195 million from international markets each year according to a ground-breaking report examining the cultural and economic value of Australian music exports.

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