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
• The ArtStart program, administered by the Australia Council, providing start-up assistance for emerging artists to help grow their arts career
• 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 across relevant Australian Government agencies to ensure coordinated information to artists on important issues surrounding career development, including information on the various tax, social security, employment and grants systems
• Cultivate is a professional development fund for Australian artists with a disability managed by Arts Access Australia. Cultivate provides seed funding of up to $8,000 for the costs associated with developing a professional practice as an artist including specific skills or professional development opportunities. For more information about Cultivate go to the Arts Access Australia website.