The Australia Council welcomes the return of funding announced today by the Minister for the Arts, Senator the Hon Mitch Fifield.
The Australia Council remains committed to its 2014-19 Strategic Plan and reformed grants program which has increased access to support for a broader range of artists and organisations. The uncommitted funds will be directed towards the Australia Council’s existing grants program.
This announcement represents a positive long term change for the Australian arts sector, by providing increased support for the Australia Council’s sector driven funding model, and greater clarity around the architecture of arts investment at the Commonwealth level.
The Council will work closely with the Department of Communication and the Arts to facilitate a smooth transition to the new funding arrangements, as it takes responsibility for existing Catalyst grants, the Major Festivals Initiative, and integrates additional investment back into the Council’s programs. The details around this transition and the specific impact on Council programs will be determined in the coming weeks.
The Council looks forward to continuing regular engagement with the Minister in support of Australian arts and culture, and raising the visibility of the role of creativity in driving innovation, and the social and economic impact of the arts.