Impact of our National Cultural Institutions

The Office for the Arts work collaboratively with the National Cultural Institutions to better understand trends in their activities. This is the 12th year this data has been captured, building a comprehensive picture of trends in visits, audience reach and educational programs over time.

In the 2023–24, the arts and cultural sector experienced several challenges primarily driven by changing consumer behaviour and uncertainty surrounding economic recovery post-COVID. The National Cultural Institutions were impacted by these sector-wide changes.

These infographics reflects on the performance of the National Cultural Institutions in 2023–24.

2023–24 results

1—Arts infographic arts access 2023–24 national cultural institutions KPIS 2023–24

1—Arts infographic arts access 2023–24 national cultural institutions KPIS 2023–24—png

 

2—Arts infographic arts audience and attendance 2023–24 national cultural institutions KPIS 2023–24

2—Arts infographic arts audience and attendance 2023–24 national cultural institutions KPIS 2023–24—png

 

3—Arts infographic arts collection development 2023–24 national cultural institutions KPIS 2023–24

3—Arts infographic arts development 2023–24 national cultural institutions KPIS 2023–24—png

 

4—Arts infographic arts collections 2023–24 national cultural institutions KPIS 2023–24

4—Arts infographic arts collections 2023–24 national cultural institutions KPIS 2023–24—png

 

5—Arts infographic arts development and support 2023–24 national cultural institutions KPIS 2023–24

5—Arts infographic arts development support 2023–24 national cultural institutions KPIS 2023–24—png

 

6—Arts infographic arts development and support 2023–24 national cultural institutions KPIS 2023–24

6—Arts infographic arts development support 2023–24 national cultural institutions KPIS 2023–24—png

 

7—Arts infographic arts digitisation and online access 2023–24 national cultural institutions KPIS 2023–24

7—Arts infographic arts digitisation and online access 2023–24 national cultural institutions KPIS 2023–24—png

 

8—Arts infographic arts education 2023–24 national cultural institutions KPIS 2023–24

8—Arts infographic arts education 2023–24 national cultural institutions KPIS 2023–24—png

 

9—Arts infographic arts education 2023–24 national cultural institutions KPIS 2023–24

9—Arts infographic arts education 2023–24 national cultural institutions KPIS 2023–24—png

 

10—Arts infographic arts engagement 2023–24 national cultural institutions KPIS 2023–24

10—Arts infographic arts engagement 2023–24 national cultural institutions KPIS 2023–24—png

 

11—Arts infographic arts engagement 2023–24 national cultural institutions KPIS 2023–24

11—Arts infographic arts engagement access 2023–24 national cultural institutions KPIS 2023–24—png

 

12—Arts infographic arts initiatives, collaboration and volunteering 2023–24 national cultural institutions KPIS 2023–24

12—Arts infographic arts initiatives, collaboration and volunteering 2023–24 national cultural institutions KPIS 2023–24—png

 

The National Cultural Institutions are:

Note: Creative Partnerships Australia also contributed to the 2021–22 national cultural institution data. From 1 July 2023, Creative Partnerships Australia's functions will be delivered through Creative Australia (formerly the Australia Council) following changes as part of the Australian Government's National Cultural Policy, Revive: a place for every story, a story for every place.

All National Cultural Institutions included in the 2021–22 data were within the Australian Government's arts portfolio in 2021–22, with the exception of the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House. The Museum of Australian Democracy was part of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet portfolio until July 2022, when it became part of the Arts Portfolio within the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts following Machinery of Government changes.

Domestic repatriation

The Indigenous Repatriation Program—Museum Grants (the Program) supports the return of Australian First Nations peoples' ancestral remains (ancestors) and secret sacred objects (objects) held in the collections of eight major Australian museums to their Traditional Custodians. The eight eligible major museums are: Australia Museum, National Museum of Australia, Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Museum Victoria, Queensland Museum, South Australian Museum, Tasmanian Museum and Gallery and Western Australian Museum.

These eight museums are eligible to apply for funding under the Program to work in partnership with identified First Nations communities to return their ancestors and objects. The Australian Government recognises the importance and cultural significance of First Nations communities being directly involved in the repatriation process. It is estimated that more than 3,400 ancestors and more than 2,300 secret sacred objects have been returned to the custodianship of their Communities. Each museum funded under the Program is responsible for the management of their respective repatriation programs. 2024–25 grants are in place for seven of the eligible Museums.

Objectives for the Program are to:

  • Identify the origin of ancestors and objects held in the collections of the funded museums.
  • Empower First Nations communities to be involved in the repatriation of ancestors and objects.
  • Repatriate ancestors and objects in the funded museums' collections to their Traditional Custodians.
  • Facilitate discussion with Traditional Custodians for culturally appropriate storage and access to ancestors and objects.
  • Support the engagement and/or employment of First Nations people to provide assistance, support and cultural advice to progress the repatriation of ancestors and objects to their Traditional Custodians.

On this page

back to top

2023–24 Museum Grant Highlights

back to top

2022–23 Museum Grant Highlights

back to top

2021–22 Museum Grant Highlights

back to top

Museums Repatriation Representatives Meeting

In April 2024, the Department hosted a national meeting of museum repatriation representatives in Canberra. The meeting provided an opportunity for repatriation representatives from the eight museums funded under the Program to workshop repatriation issues affecting First Nations people. Participants discussed a range of topics including temporary care arrangements, grants reporting and cultural objects on loan as well as ways to share knowledge and proposed repatriation activities and challenges for 2024–25. The key outcomes of the meeting were information sharing, improving collaboration and fostering best practice to better support First Nations communities to repatriate their ancestors and objects.

back to top

More information

For more information on the Program, email repatriation@arts.gov.au.

For more information about the respective museum repatriation programs and the return of ancestors and objects in their safekeeping, please contact the museums directly.

back to top

  • Indigenous Repatriation

    The Australian Government supports the repatriation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ancestral remains (ancestors) and secret sacred objects (objects) which contributes to healing and reconciliation.

  • International Repatriation

    The Australian Government seeks the voluntary and unconditional return of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ancestral remains (ancestors) held in overseas collecting institutions and with private holders.

Participating institutions

Enriching Australia's public collections

The Cultural Gifts Program (CGP) helps make important cultural items accessible to the Australian public by providing incentives for donors to donate art and cultural property to Australia's public collecting institutions.

Public collecting institutions must be endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) on the basis of being a public art gallery, museum or library (including archives) by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Institutions and donors are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the Cultural Gifts Program Guide prior to commencing an application.

Roles and responsibilities

The process of providing a donor with a tax deduction for a donation made under the Cultural Gifts Program begins when a participating institution accepts the donation into its collection.

The recipient institution is responsible for:

  • Ensuring the donation meets the institution's collection policy, including undertaking due diligence in relation to ensuring it complies with all legal requirements.
  • Accepting the donation into its permanent collection.
  • The donor and institution must complete a Certificate of Donation. For large donations, please complete the large donations template.
  • Assisting donors in obtaining at least two valuations for the donation from CGP approved valuers.
    • Valuations will not be accepted under the CGP unless the valuer is approved for the relevant class. For example, a valuer approved for Australian paintings after 1950 would not be eligible to value an Australian painting dated 1890.
  • Submitting the required documentation to the department using the online system. The Certificate of Donation and Valuation Certificates for donations made under the CGP must be submitted through the department's online submission portal: Start now. For collections of four or more items please upload a complete list itemising both valuations using the breakdown of items template.
  • The department will notify the donor and the institution upon receipt of the application.
  • The department will send the donor a letter once the application is finalised.

Acknowledging Australian Government support

Recipient institutions must acknowledge the Cultural Gifts Program when referring to donated items on materials including but not limited to promotional materials, websites, social media, invitations and signage.
The standard acknowledgement for a donation is:
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.
Acceptable variations include:
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program by [donor's name].
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program by [donor's name] in memory of [name].
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program in memory of [name].

Deaccessioning

Donations should only be accepted on the basis that they will form part of an institution's permanent collection. However, the department acknowledges changes in collection policies may occasionally result in the need to deaccession items.

If items are removed from a collection, this should be done in accordance with the institution's deaccessioning policy. Donations under the CGP should not be returned to the donor as the donor has already received the benefit of the tax deduction for the gift.

Frequently asked questions

Submit a new donation
Start now Opens in a new tab/window
Subscribe to Art Galleries