The Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support (IVAIS) program helps fund the operations of more than 85 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.

Who can apply

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

When to apply

Applications for the IVAIS 2027 Open Competitive and Closed Non-Competitive grant opportunity rounds opened on 29 October 2026, and will close at 23.45 AEDT on 26 November 2026. 

Funding allocation

Approximately $16 million is available from 2027–28 to 2029–30 for allocation through the Closed Non-Competitive Grant Opportunity. Approximately $7.1 million is available from 2027–28 to 2028–29 for allocation through the Open Competitive Grant Opportunity.

About the program

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:

  1. art centres, mostly in remote and very remote locations
  2. industry service organisations
  3. art fairs
  4. 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 Homepage for more information. 

Applications are now open for the IVAIS Open Competitive Grant Round 2027 (GO8697).

Applications for the IVAIS Closed Non-Competitive Grant Round are offered by invitation only to eligible organisations.

Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support grant guidelines

The Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support (IVAIS) Program Open Competitive Grant Guidelines and Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support (IVAIS) 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 Homepage (search for Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support under grant opportunities).

Applying for funding

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

You can apply for future grant rounds through GrantConnect.

Stay up to date with news and announcements

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for program announcements. Join the conversation using #IVAIS. Organisations can tag @AusGovArts in posts about their funded programs.

Program logos

The program logos are used to acknowledge Australian Government funding.

Contact

If you have any questions about the IVAIS program, you can contact us during office hours:

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

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.

Funding recipients by year