Australia Council
Australia Council for the Arts
1973 – 24 August 2023
Previously Australian Council for the Arts (1968–1973). Renamed Creative Australia in 2023.
The Commonwealth's principal arts funding and advisory body, distributing grants to artists and arts organisations through art-form boards and later supporting the major performing arts companies.
Names over time
- Australian Council for the Arts1968–1973
- Australia Council1973–2023
- Creative Australia2023–present
How it came into existence
Formed in 1973 when the Whitlam government restructured the Australian Council for the Arts into an interim, non-statutory council with seven art-form boards; the Literature Board took over the Commonwealth Literary Fund and the Visual Arts Board the patronage role of the Commonwealth Art Advisory Board. It became a statutory authority under the Australia Council Act 1975 in March 1975.
- arts funding and advice
- performing arts grants
Restructured with art-form boards and renamed.
- writers' pensions and fellowships
- publication subsidies
Taken over by the Literature Board.
- support for contemporary visual artists
Patronage role taken over by the Visual Arts Board; the collection role went to the Australian National Gallery's interim council.
Legislation: Australia Council Act 1975; Australia Council Act 2013; Australia Council Amendment (Creative Australia) Act 2023
Changes during its life
- March 1975Became a statutory authority under the Australia Council Act 1975, which established the body corporate under the name Australia Council.
- 1 July 2013The Australia Council Act 2013 replaced the 1975 Act, giving the Council a new governing board and updated functions.
- private sector support and philanthropy for the arts
- Australian Cultural Fund
Merged into the Council under the Australia Council Amendment (Creative Australia) Act 2023.
- experimental film and television funding
- screen culture support
Functions of the Australia Council's Film, Radio and Television Board.
- Artsupport Australia philanthropy program
How it ended
Continued in existence and renamed Creative Australia when the Creative Australia Act 2023 commenced on 24 August 2023.
Main functions
- grants to artists and arts organisations
- funding of major performing arts companies
- advice to government on the arts
- arts research and advocacy
- international promotion of Australian arts
Where it sits
Last in the portfolio of Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts.
Lineage
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Sources
Primary sources
- Australian Government Organisations Register (Department of Finance, data.gov.au) (listed from 11 December 2014 to 30 June 2023)
- Australia Council Amendment (Creative Australia) Act 2023 (as made)
Government records and websites
Some dates or links for this organisation are not fully confirmed. Corrections are welcome.