Changes to Australia Council announced in budget

13 May 2015 Books+Publishing

The government will cut $110m from the Australia Council over the next four years as part of changes announced in the 2015-16 federal budget on 12 May.

Of the cuts to the Australia Council, $104.8m will be used to establish the National Programme for Excellence in the Arts within the Arts Ministry. In a statement, arts minister George Brandis said the program will ‘support endowments, international touring and strategic projects, with an emphasis on attracting private sector support’.

‘The National Programme for Excellence in the Arts will make funding available to a wider range of arts companies and arts practitioners, while at the same time respecting the preferences and tastes of Australia’s audiences,’ said Brandis.

Another $5.2m will be taken from the Australia Council’s budget to fund Creative Partnership Australia’s matched funding program for the next three years. Further cuts of $7.3m over four years will also be made through reduced funding to the ArtStart, Capacity Building and Artists in Residence programs.

Category: Local news