Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support program

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.

How it works

Who can apply

Organisations that support professional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to produce, promote and market their art.

How to seek funding

Funding is available through closed non-competitive and open competitive grant opportunities.

Funding allocation

Funding of approximately $23 million per annum is allocated directly to organisations through a restricted non-competitive process. Approximately $3.9 million per annum is available through an annual open competitive grant round.

Program Information

funding tabs

About The Program

Funding application period: November 01, 2021 09:00 AEDT to December 20, 2021 23:45 AEDT

The Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support (IVAIS) program supports a professional, viable and ethical Indigenous visual arts industry with strong participation by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Some of Australia's most dynamic visual art is produced in Indigenous art centres, which enable artists to create new art, earn income, develop professional skills and connect to the art market.

Funding is delivered to four primary types of organisation including:

art centres, mostly in remote and very remote locations
industry service organisations
art fairs
arts hubs, mostly in regional or urban locations

The organisations funded through the program together form the infrastructure that provides artists with studio space, materials, art development opportunities, marketing and exhibition support, as well as a range of professional support and services for artists, art centre staff and Directors.

The IVAIS program also supports the Indigenous Art Code, an industry-led voluntary code of conduct that promotes fair and ethical trade between art dealers and Indigenous visual artists.

Funding is offered through open competitive and closed non-competitive grant opportunities. Visit the Australian Government's GrantConnect website for more information.

Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support—impacts of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic is having unprecedented effects on communities in Australia and around the world. The Australian Government is working across all Government portfolios to support all Australian communities. The particular effects of COVID-19 on creative and cultural activity are evident and continue to be considered as part of the national response.

Up to date information about COVID-19 and how it relates to the arts sector, can be found at arts.gov.au COVID-19 update.

National Indigenous Visual Arts Action Plan

The National Indigenous Visual Arts Action Plan: 2021–2025 (the action plan) sets the Australian Government's priorities to support the visual arts sector from 2021–22 to 2025–26 following a sector wide consultation process in 2020. The action plan aims to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, organisations and businesses in their ability to direct and decide on their cultural and economic interests, and the evolution of their industry.

National Indigenous Visual Arts Action Plan: 2021–2025

Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support Grant Guidelines

The Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support Program Open Competitive Grant Guidelines and Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support Program Closed Non-Competitive Grant Guidelines include eligibility criteria and information about the application and grant processes. The Guidelines can be accessed on the Australian Government's GrantConnect website.

The Indigenous Art Centre Framework

The IVAIS program is underpinned by the Indigenous Art Centre Framework that provides a cooperative framework for stakeholders to work together to strengthen the industry.

Indigenous Art Centre Framework

Program logos

The program logos are used to acknowledge Australian Government funding.

Contact

Phone: 1800 006 992
Email: ivais@arts.gov.au

Who We've Funded

The four main types of funded organisations are:

Art centres—are the primary focus of the funding, are generally located in remote or very remote communities and provide a studio space, materials and marketing for artists that are from one or more local clan groups. Most art centres are stand-alone enterprises, and some are run by Aboriginal Corporations or Shires.

Arts hubs—generally located in the urban or regional centres in the south-eastern parts of Australia, and providing a range of professional support for artists in their region, including through exhibitions and workshops.

Industry service organisations—providing a range of professional development, governance, recruitment and training support for artists, directors and staff. These stand-alone organisations primarily focus on assisting remote art centres to operate.

Art fairs—regional or national marketing events that generally include a main exhibition, a market place and associated satellite exhibitions and events. These are mostly designed for, and attended by, remote and very remote art centres, and a large volume of art is sold through these events.