The Hon Rod Kemp was Minister for the Arts and Sport from Friday 23 November 2001 to Tuesday 30 January 2007. This site is available for archival purposes only.

Australia Council funding renewed for three years

The Minister for Arts and Sport, Senator Rod Kemp, today announced base funding of over $418 million for the Australia Council, renewing the Australian Government’s commitment to the arts.

“With this funding the Government continues to demonstrate its strong track record of support for the arts and cultural activity and support for all Australians to participate in the nation’s cultural life,” Senator Kemp said.

“Australia Council programs are helping the Government to give the wider Australian community more opportunities to experience arts events and activities.

“In the last year alone, eight million Australians attended arts events supported by the Australia Council.”

Senator Kemp said the arts are delivering significant cultural, social and economic benefits, particularly in regional and remote Australia.

“Arts activities are generating important employment and economic activities in a significant number of communities and in many instances making them more attractive destinations for tourists,” Senator Kemp said.

While the Australia Council supports activities designed to extend the reach of arts activities to Australians generally, its funding programs also strive to promote excellence in the arts across all mediums.

“Australia Council funding supports artists and arts organisations to pursue artistic excellence in creating and presenting their work,” Senator Kemp said.

“It helps enhance their skills and enables them to compete. With support from the Australia Council artists and performers are building markets, and touring and promoting their work to wide and appreciative audiences.”

This announcement of base funding confirms the triennial basis on which the Australia Council has been funded since 1995. Other initiatives relating to the Australia Council remain under consideration as part of the 2007-08 Budget process. Funding for the Australia Council was last renewed in 2004. Visit www.ozco.gov.au for more information on the Australia Council.

MELBOURNE
16 January 2007
Media contact: Adrian Chippindale – 02 6277 7350