Substantial Funds for Indigenous Arts Organisations

Ten indigenous arts and cultural organisations will receive substantial long term funding under the Australia Council's National Indigenous Arts Infrastructure Program.
This follows a major two year review of the indigenous arts sector, and focuses on indigenous arts sector development with an increased strategic investment to Indigenous organisations.
Five leading organisations will be supported for six years and five building organisations for three years with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Boardâs commitment totaling $1,350,000.
The Australia Councilâs Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Board assessed the applications at their October 2009 meeting, on completion of their Making Solid Ground review.
The Making Solid Ground review was a nation-wide consultation program to inform the review of the key organisations funding program. The need for the review directly related to:
⢠Changes in the Indigenous funding landscape;
⢠Barriers to entry of new organisations into the funding program;
⢠Budget lockup of funding and frustration of organisations outside the program;
⢠Lack of mechanisms for organisations to successfully exit from the program;
⢠Continuing financial pressure on Indigenous arts organisations.
As a result of Making Solid Ground, the board established two categories of funding: leading organisations and building organisations.
Leading organisations are established Indigenous arts organisations leading their field.
Building organisations are recently established Indigenous arts organisations working towards strategically contributing to a national networked infrastructure.
Cultural maintenance was identified as essential by the sector to the conservation and protection of art and culture, and central to this was the support required for the continuity of art and culture intergenerational practices. Artistic vibrancy was identified as essential by the sector to achieve new, innovative artistic works and develop audiences in their respective artform to achieve a dynamic contemporary artistic practice.