Funding and Arts Policy Information

There are numerous sources that can provide funding for arts programs for children and young people.  Before you start looking you need to be very clear about the particular activity you want to undertake and what you hope to achieve. 

Funding sources might include state or federal arts agencies, youth services programs, community development programs, philanthropic trusts, regional development programs, health promotions programs etc.

Once you are clear about what you want to achieve, start looking at which agencies provide funding for that type of activity.  Check their funding criteria to see if your activity matches their program criteria, then ring to speak to a program officer to get more information.  The major state / territory and federal arts funding bodies are an excellent starting point and can provide you with advice on how you might fund your activity in your geographic area.

MAJOR ARTS FUNDING BODIES
Federal
Australia Council for the Arts, is the Federal Government’s key arts funding and policy body. www.ozco.gov.au

Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, provides funding through the Festivals Australia, Playing Australia and Playing the World programs.  DCITA provides funding through the Commonwealth Government's Regional Arts Fund which supports the arts in regional and remote areas. While the Department is responsible for the Program, it is delivered in partnership with State and Territory regional arts organisations representing hundreds of local regional arts councils covering the length and breadth of Australia.  www.dcita.gov.au

MAJOR STATE AND TERRITORY ARTS FUNDING BODIES
Victoria
Arts Victoria is the Government body charged with advising on and implementing arts policy, developing the arts and cultural industries across the State and ensuring access for all Victorians.  www.arts.vic.gov.au

VicHealth
VicHealth is an organisation committed to promoting the health of all Victorians.  VicHealth provides funding for community based arts programs through its community arts participation program.  www.vichealth.vic.gov.au

NSW
The NSW Ministry for the Arts, advises the NSW Government on all aspects of the arts and cultural activity.  It supports excellence and innovation in the arts.  www.arts.nsw.gov.au

Queensland
Arts Queensland, a Department of the Queensland Government, develops and implements cultural policy and administers cultural funding and capital works programs that support arts and cultural development for the benefit of the community. www.arts.qld.gov.au

Australian Capital Territory
artsACT is located within the Arts and Cultural Services Branch, Department of Urban Services, ACT Government. Its role is to: advise the Minister for the Arts, Mr Bill Wood MLA, on a broad range of arts related issues; implement stated government policies relating to the arts, to provide administrative and professional support to the ACT Cultural Council; and administer the ACT Arts Funding Program, and ACT Festival Funding Program.
artsACT also oversees the management of a range of ACT cultural facilities, manages the Public Art Program and maintains links with other arts and cultural organisations and agencies.  www.arts.act.gov.au

Tasmania
Arts Tasmania forms part of the Department of Tourism, Parks Heritage and the Arts.  Arts Tasmania provides the Secretariat functions for the Tasmanian Arts Advisory Board in its peer assessment and policy development roles.  www.arts.tas.gov.au

South Australia
South Australian Youth Arts Board (SAYAB) encourages participation and excellence in the arts through a range of scholarship, grants and funding programs.  SAYAB programs are administered by Carclew Youth Arts Centre. www.sayab.org.au

Arts SA is a division of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet within  the South Australian Government.  It provides leadership in the strategic development of a strong and sustainable arts and cultural industry in South Australia.  Arts SA assists artists and arts activities by providing policy advice, grants management, development programs and corporate administration services. www.arts.sa.gov.au

Western Australia
Department of Culture and the Arts is responsible for the development and support of the arts sector in Western Australia.  Project funds are distributed through peer assessment panels – Arts Development, Indigenous Arts, Young People and the Arts, Contemporary Music, Designer Fashion, Quick Response and the Artflight program.  http://www.dca.wa.gov.au/ArtsWA.asp

Y Culture Regional is a development and funding program for youth arts and culture. It is unique because it enables young people to actively create, plan, manage and deliver their own arts projects. As a young person, you can feel safe and confident in taking the first steps in making your creative dreams a reality! Speak to Rebecca Cockram, Regional Youth Arts Development Officer at Country Arts WA about YCulture funding for your project idea. 94810077, 1800 811 883 (Freecall), or by email ryado@countryartswa.asn.au or check out www.countryartswa.asn.au for application forms and guidelines.

Northern Territory
Arts NT's primary function is to support and develop the artistic and cultural potential of the Territory through policy, operational and financial support and advice to the arts sector and to government. Arts NT aims to ensure that all Territory residents have access to a variety of arts & cultural activities. www.dcdsca.nt.gov.au/dcdsca/intranet.nsf/pages/ArtsGrants

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