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
Six diverse titles have been recognised at the 2018 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards ceremony.
Cultural heritage
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Cultural Gifts Program that provides incentives for donors to gift art and cultural...
Photo courtesy of Victorian Arts Centre Trust (detail) +
Performing arts
Australia is an internationally recognised for its achievements in the circus arts and the Flying Fruit Fly Circus and its...
Museums, libraries and galleries
We’ve rounded up the best national cultural exhibitions and activities to help you start planning your summer.
Courtesy of the National Gallery of Australia (detail) +
Cultural heritage
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Cultural Gifts Program that provides incentives for donors to gift art and cultural...
Photo courtesy of Victorian Arts Centre Trust (detail) +
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 Jerrinja Exposed (detail) +
Indigenous arts and languages
The Indigenous Languages and Arts program supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to revive and maintain languages, and to develop and present art.
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.