Senator the Hon. George Brandis S.C.

Minister for the Arts and Sport

The Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator George Brandis, has announced ongoing Australian Government funding for the Art Indemnity Australia program, which supports Australian public access to significant cultural exhibitions.

The Government reclassified Art Indemnity Australia as an ongoing program in the 2007–08 Budget and has committed up to $15 million over the next four years to support the scheme.

“This ongoing funding for Art Indemnity Australia reflects the Australian Government’s commitment to ensuring Australians continue to enjoy significant international and local cultural exhibitions,” said Senator Brandis.

“Through this program Australians have had wide access to significant international and Australian touring exhibitions and this funding means they will continue to do so. Art Indemnity Australia also plays an important role in strengthening Australia’s cultural ties with other nations.”

Through Art Indemnity Australia, the Australian Government acts as an insurer and carries the financial risk for loss of, or damage to, indemnified works of art. Without the Australian Government’s support, the costs of commercial insurance would prevent many major touring exhibitions coming to, or touring within, Australia. The program aims to increase Australian public access to art and cultural exhibitions and is one of Australia's most successful arts programs.

Recent exhibitions supported by Art Indemnity Australia include the highly successful Picasso: Love and War 1935-45 at the National Gallery of Victoria; Constable: Impressions of Land, Sea and Sky at the National Gallery of Australia; and National Treasures from Australia’s Great Libraries, which are to tour all Australian states and territories.

Since Art Indemnity Australia’s establishment the Australian Government has indemnified over $11 billion worth of cultural objects, to audiences totaling more than 20 million visitors.

Visit www.dcita.gov.au/artsfunding for more information.
Media contact: Travis Bell 0448 950 248
8 October 2007
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