MEDIA STATEMENT
20 November 2015
AUSTRALIA COUNCIL FUNDING UPDATE
The Australia Council welcomes the return of funding announced today by the Minister for the Arts.
Australia Council Chief Executive Tony Grybowski said the return of $8 million per annum would partially
address the $31.4 million impact of the 2015-16 budget measures, the majority of which affected the
Council’s peer assessed grants program and strategic projects.
“I am pleased this will enable us to increase investment in the two core grant rounds for 2015-16,
providing project support for individuals, groups and small to medium organisations to create and present
work, as well as a range of other arts activity. The flexibility of the Council’s new grants model will allow us
to immediately allocate funds. This will have an immediate impact on the success rates in the current
grant round, with outcomes to be announced in early December, as well as the next grant round which
closes in February,” Mr Grybowski said.
“Following the May Budget announcements the Council had to cancel two of our four core grant rounds for
this year, with $12 million to be invested through those rounds in contrast to the $26 million intended. The
Council is now able to increase that investment to $19 million for this year. In addition, the Council will be
in a position to deliver a small number of our suspended activities by directing $1 million back into
strategic projects. This will benefit national and international market and audience development, as well as
strategic development support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts.
“In 2016-17 the Council will deliver three core grant rounds with an overall investment of
approximately $18 million. We consider this to be the minimum viable level, compared to the
planned $26 million intended through four rounds. Our new Four Year Funding Program for
small to medium organisations will commence in January 2017, delivering a revised version of
the Six Year Funding Program which was to begin in January 2016. This replaces the Key
Organisation program which currently supports 147 organisations until it concludes in December
2016. Multi-year core program funding for this vital part of the arts sector is critical to
sustainability and artistic vibrancy. Following today’s announcement the Council is able to invest
approximately $22 million in the Four Year Funding program, which provides a level of stability.
“The Council is committed to delivering on the strategic goals in our approved Corporate Plan. This Plan
articulates our leadership role in fostering a dynamic and sustainable national arts sector, and supporting
new opportunities for diverse audiences to experience Australia’s rich arts and culture.
“In addition to our grants program, the Council’s strategic goals will be realised through our national and
international strategic development activities, sector capacity building, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Arts development - acknowledging the budget for this work has been reduced by half. This will be
complemented by our advocacy activities which include an enhanced research program and a focus on
leveraging new investment in Australian arts.
The Australia Council for the Arts is the Australia Government’s arts funding and
advisory body.
MEDIA CONTACT
Karen Smith
P 02 9215 9030 M 0498 123 541
E k.smith@australiacouncil.gov.au
SOCIAL MEDIA
twitter.com/auscouncilarts
facebook.com/australiacouncil
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Mr Grybowski said the Council was committed to working collaboratively with the Ministry for the Arts and
Creative Partnerships Australia, to promote artistic excellence and creative innovation, and in support of
the Council’s vision for a culturally ambitious nation.
The Australia Council for the Arts is the Australia Government’s arts funding and
advisory body.
MEDIA CONTACT
Karen Smith
P 02 9215 9030 M 0498 123 541
E k.smith@australiacouncil.gov.au
SOCIAL MEDIA
twitter.com/auscouncilarts
facebook.com/australiacouncil
2