Indigenous program funding for 2010-11 now open

Applications are open from 16 November 2009 to 5 February 2010 for funding opportunities under the National Arts and Crafts Industry Support, Indigenous Heritage, Indigenous Culture Support, Maintenance of Indigenous Languages and Records, and Indigenous Broadcasting Programs.

The programs are supporting professional arts practice, ensuring culture and language are kept strong and passed to future generations, and protecting heritage sites.

For more information, visit www.arts.gov.au/indigenous.

2009 Prime Minister's Literary Award winners announced

The Boat by Nam Le, House of Exile: The Life and Times of Heinrich Mann and Nelly Kroeger-Mann by Evelyn Juers and Drawing the Global Colour Line by Marilyn Lake and Henry Reynolds have won the 2009 Prime Minister's Literary Awards.

Minister Garrett's address to the National Press Club

Arts Minister Peter Garrett has delivered a speech on Australia's cultural policy to the National Press Club. He has asked for help from the public to create a policy that "strengthens and celebrates our culture" through a web forum www.nationalculturalpolicy.com.au

Playing Australia round 35 now open

Funding round 35 of Playing Australia is now open. Applications close 1 December 2009.

Cultural ministers endorse Indigenous Australian Art Commercial Code of Conduct

Cultural Ministers from Australia and New Zealand have endorsed a Code of Conduct governing fair and ethical trade in the commercial Indigenous visual arts industry. Ministers also approved a parallel Charter for public collecting institutions.

Minister Garrett has welcomed support for the Code of Conduct

The Code of Conduct and the Charter are available at http://www.indigenousartcode.org