Australia Council statement:

The 2015-16 Budget announcement last night included a number of significant budget measures relating the Australia Council, and the establishment of a National Programme for Excellence in the Arts, to be administered through the Ministry for the Arts.

The budget measures related to the Australia Council include:

- $110M redirected over four years from the Australia Council’s appropriation to support the establishment of the National Programme for Excellence in the Arts, the Creative Partnerships Australia’s matched funding programme, and the transfer of the Visions of Australia and Festivals of Australia programmes and the Major festivals Initiative, to the Ministry for the Arts

- A $7.3M budget efficiency measure over four years from the Australia Council’s appropriation, delivered through reduced funding for the ArtStart, Capacity Building and Artists in Residence programmes

- A $6M budget measure directed over three years towards the establishment of the Book Council

For full details of the 2015-16 Budget visit www.budget.gov.au

This will impact on the Australia Council’s programs and administrative functions.

The Board of the Australia Council will be giving careful consideration to the Council’s priorities for the next year and beyond, and the implications for delivery of the Australia Council Strategic Plan.

Until the Board and Executive have had the opportunity to undertake these considerations in response to the Budget measures further detail will not be available.

The Australia Council remains committed to supporting Australian artists and arts organisations, and working collaboratively to achieve strong outcomes for the arts in Australia.

http://www.australiacouncil.gov.au/news/media-centre/media-releases/2015-16-budget-update/