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
Explore the 2018 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards using our fun new augmented reality tool!
Indigenous arts and languages
National Close the Gap Day 2019 marks 10 years of the campaign and International Year for Indigenous Languages is a great time...
Indigenous arts and languages
The Australian Government has released an Action Plan as part of its commitment to supporting the preservation, revival,...
Indigenous arts and languages
ABC’s Indigenous languages series ‘Word Up’ has broadcast its 100th episode. A great milestone to reach during the...
Indigenous arts and languages
National Close the Gap Day 2019 marks 10 years of the campaign and International Year for Indigenous Languages is a great time...
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.
Courtesy of Australian National Maritime Museum (detail) +
Museums, libraries and galleries
The Maritime Museums of Australia Project Support Scheme aims to help manage, conserve and display maritime collections.
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.
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 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.