We develop Australian Government policies and deliver programs that encourage excellence in the arts, help to protect our cultural heritage and support public access to and participation in, arts and culture in Australia.
Learn more about what we do
What's new
Literature
If you had a work published or released during 2018 you may be eligible to enter this year’s Awards.
Indigenous arts and languages
From the titles of towns to streets, rivers and mountain ranges: Indigenous names surround us in Australia.
Performing arts
This year the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) celebrates 60 years of supporting Australian performing artists.
Indigenous arts and languages
A mobile language team, proudly supported by the Indigenous Languages and Arts program, is helping revive ancient languages.
Indigenous arts and languages
From the titles of towns to streets, rivers and mountain ranges: Indigenous names surround us in Australia.
Prime Minister's Literary Awards
The Prime Minister's Literary Awards celebrate outstanding literary talent in Australia and the valuable contribution Australian literature and history makes to the nation's cultural and intellectual life.
Funding programs
Literature
Australian book publishers or creators—authors, illustrators, editors, translators and compilers—can be compensated for the loss of income through the free multiple use of their work in Australian public and educational lending libraries.
Carlene West (painting) Amanda Dent (photography). (detail) +
Indigenous arts and languages
The Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support program helps fund the operations of around 80 Indigenous-owned art centres, and a number of art fairs, regional hubs and industry service organisations that are at the heart of Australia’s world-famous Indigenous visual art movement.
Courtesy of Alison McDonald (detail) +
Regional arts
The Visions of Australia regional exhibition touring program supports audience access to Australian arts and cultural material, with a particular focus on tours to regional and remote Australia.
Our Work
Artbank is a one of a kind, Australian Government support program that acquires the work of living, Australian contemporary artists – making the collection available to the general public through a leasing program.
Bruno Benini (detail) +
The National Cultural Heritage Account helps Australian public cultural organisations buy significant objects that they could not otherwise afford.
The Meeting of Cultural Ministers comprises the Australian, state and territory government arts and culture ministers.
Current consultations
Support programs
Communications and the Arts Minister
Meet the Minister Senator the Hon Mitch Fifield.
The National Arts and Disability Strategy consultation has ended. Submissions to the consultation and results of the online survey will be available online in February 2019. Your contributions will help shape a renewed National Arts and Disability Strategy.
The Meeting of Cultural Ministers (MCM) has agreed to renew the National Arts and Disability Strategy in consultation with stakeholders. MCM is made up of the Australian Government and state and territory government cultural ministers.