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
The 2018 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards shortlists have been announced.
The Australian, state and territory governments have released a consultation paper on potential enhancements to the Major...
Museums, libraries and galleries
The school holidays have come around again and our National Cultural institutions have you covered, from films, to dancing and...
Zoomorphic brooch © Trustees of the British Museum (detail) +
Performing arts
Challenging the mind and body – academic studies at the National Institute of Circus Arts are as rigorous as the physical...
The Australian, state and territory governments have released a consultation paper on potential enhancements to the Major...
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
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.
Photo by Oliver Eclipse (detail) +
Regional arts
Festivals Australia supports community participation in, and access to, the arts and aims to support partnerships and collaboration across the sector.
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.
Tell Your Story about arts and disability. Your stories and ideas will inform a renewed National Arts and Disability Strategy.
The Meeting of Cultural Ministers (MCM) has agreed to renew the National Arts and Disability Strategy for 2019. MCM is made up of the Australian Government and state and territory government cultural ministers.