Support for artists
Artistic production, experience and enjoyment help shape and sustain our social wellbeing and cultural identity.
Work by Australian artists can inspire and challenge us, provoke new thoughts and ideas, and give us fresh perspectives on life and the world.
The arts are also a major contributor to the mainstream economy. The Australian Government values our artists, and recognises that they face particular income and employment challenges. It is investigating ways to support Australian artists better and help them generate more income, through:
- A visual arts resale royalty scheme
- Exploration of ways to adequately protect artists’ copyright given the challenges posed by emerging platforms and changes in consumer patterns
- An ArtStart program, including start-up assistance for emerging artists, to give better employment opportunities in their field to artists who are on welfare
- Consideration of adding arts activities to the criteria for employment and community participation in Work for the Dole programs
- A Social Security and the Arts policy to harmonise rules across Australian Government agencies and ensure earnings and royalty payments are treated equitably.
