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
All Australians are encouraged to stop what they are doing today, pick up a book and read—for just one hour.
Cultural heritage
The Australian Government has returned a culturally significant ammonite fossil to the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria...
Performing arts
We take a look at the Australian National Academy of Music and how it nurtures some of the best musicians from around the...
The 2018 Meeting of Cultural Ministers was held in Canberra, ACT on 14 September 2018.
Cultural heritage
The Australian Government has returned a culturally significant ammonite fossil to the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria...
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
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.
Bruno Benini (detail) +
Cultural heritage
The National Cultural Heritage Account helps Australian public cultural organisations buy significant objects that they could not otherwise afford.
Courtesy of the National Library of Australia (detail) +
Regional arts
The Community Heritage Grants program aims to preserve and provide access to locally held, nationally significant cultural heritage collections across 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.
We seek your views on how to strengthen the Major Performing Arts Framework, through which the major performing arts companies are supported to develop and present excellent artistic works and foster a vibrant and sustainable performing arts sector.