Arts Governance Program
Welcome to the Arts Governance Program
The Australia Council Arts Governance Program is a national opportunity for arts organisations to enhance their governance practices through a program tailored specifically to the arts. The program aims to enhance governance skills, supporting leaders to prosper and arts organisations to thrive.
"I found that the program challenged some basic assumptions and offered exemplary insights into how organisations can think more strategically, laterally, and responsively."
Alexie Glass-Kantor, Executive Director Artspace
"I was particularly glad to find that the workshop focused on the importance of the organisation’s artistic vision and the board’s role in its stewardship. I recommend board members and CEOs from small to medium arts organisations take up this opportunity to refresh their governance knowledge."
Sally Farr, CEO/GM Western Edge, Youth Arts
"As an experienced director, the Arts Governance program gave me an excellent opportunity to discuss governance issues with like-minded directors and to refresh my knowledge."
Vicki Coltman, Deputy Chair, Art Gallery of Ballarat.
Program Outcomes
- Enhanced understanding of arts governance by boards and senior leadership in organisations of all sizes.
- Strengthened understanding between senior leadership, including artistic leadership, and board members.
- Greater confidence in managing board and organisational performance.
- Greater confidence in guiding the artistic health of an organisation.
Program Components:
The Arts Governance Program consists of a number of discrete but inter-related components delivered in venues across the country, as well as online, during 2018.
The program is comprised of two components, an arts governance workshop series and webinar series, both of which are aimed at the leaders (including board members/chairs, as well as senior management and artistic staff) of small-medium arts organisations.
The workshops cost $350 per organisation for a maximum of three people. This includes for each registrant a two-year membership to the Institute of Community Directors Australia (ICDA), an Our Community enterprise, a specialist not-for-profit governance membership body. The webinars are free. Learn more about the program.
- 2 April 2020 Launceston (This workshop has been cancelled)
- Arts Governance Refresher, 5 February
Download the RTF version of this page.
Contact
For more information please contact us at leadershipprogram@australiacouncil.gov.au or 02 9215 9036.
The Arts Governance Program is presented nationally in partnership with the Institute of Community Directors Australia, an Our Community enterprise.
Arts Leaders program
The Arts Leaders Program is designed to transform our sector’s knowledge by developing skills and capabilities of our established practitioners. The program brings together leaders from Australia and eligible Indo Pacific countries across artforms and career levels, to inspire and enhance arts leadership. The Arts Leaders Program is a personal and professional development opportunity – it will enhance your skills and capabilities, develop your networks and provide a platform for growth.
Applications are now closed.
Future Leaders program
The Future Leaders Program is designed to transform our sectors knowledge by developing skills and capabilities of our emerging practitioners. The program brings together a group of diverse leaders to engage with current and relevant themes affecting the future of the arts. Together, you will work through common challenges and opportunities faced within the sector today.
The Future Leaders Program is for emerging leaders within their first ten years’ experience in the sector. The program is open to arts leaders working independently, within organisations or the broader community.
Applications for the 2019 round are now closed.
International Leadership program (Indo-Pacific)
In partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the International Leadership Program invites applicants from nine eligible Indo-Pacific countries to apply for the Arts Leaders or Future Leaders programs in Australia.
Apply for a fully funded scholarship in one of our groundbreaking programs to transform your leadership and create impact for your organisation, practice or community.
Join colleagues from across our region to explore arts leadership through a different lens and learn through a range of experiences during your visits to Australia.
Applications for the 2019 round are now closed.
Arts Governance Program
Arts and Culture Governance Report
The Australia Council is pleased to partner with the Institute of Community Directors (ICDA) and Our Community to publish the Arts and Culture Governance Spotlight Report. The report highlights the unique nature of our sector but also provides an effective comparison and benchmark with other not-for-profit companies and organisations. The research validates our understanding of the current state of governance in the arts and highlights new insights about governance practices that we should respond to. The report reinforces that what we face in the arts is felt across the not-for-profit sector.
Ensuring the sustainability of arts organisations is vital to a creatively connected nation. Our cultural and creative sectors are facing significant forces of change and evolution. It is no longer possible to rely on traditional business models, modes of operation or engagement.
