Creative Partnerships Australia has had a productive and rewarding year, as we continue to support the Australian arts sector to secure private investment through our expertise, programs and resources. Read the messages from Chair, Catherine Walter AM and CEO, Fiona Menzies.

At a glance

We invested more than $9.98 million to the arts sector through the Australian Cultural Fund and our matched funding programs.

Australian Cultural Fund

This year our online fundraising platform channeled more funds to Australian artists and arts organisations than ever before. Their supporters donated a record $6.47 million – the highest amount ever received in a financial year. This is an increase of more than 80% on the previous year and well above our 2018-19 target of $3.5 million.

The single biggest donation ever received through the Australian Cultural Fund was recorded at $1,250,000, with more artists and arts organisations using the platform to raise significant funds through major campaigns than ever before.

Read more about the Australian Cultural Fund.

Funding Programs

Our matched funding programs help independent artists and small to medium arts organisations boost their fundraising, secure new donors and partnerships, and strengthen their networks to reach their artistic goals through sustainable funding models and practice.

A total of 46 arts organisations raised $1.61 million through Plus1 fundraising campaigns and combined with $1.39 million of our matched funding, over $3 million was invested into the arts sector. 25 independent artists raised over $320,000 through their MATCH Lab fundraising that we matched with over $197,000.

In 2018 we introduced the Arts Leadership Mentoring Program Pilot, providing an opportunity for arts professionals based in Queensland to set strategic goals, while developing leadership skills to improve performance at an individual and organisational level. This mentoring series compliments our existing Arts Fundraising Mentorship Program and will continue in 2019 with a South Australian cohort.

Read more about our funding programs.

Sector Development

Our sector development activity builds a more knowledgeable, confident and sustainable arts sector through supporting the arts fundraising profession and inspiring an all of organisation approach to securing private sector support.

This year we delivered 12 professional development events to over 500 people, including masterclasses, presentations and panel discussions. Our state managers continued to provide one-on-one advice, delivering more than 600 coaching and mentoring sessions to arts organisations around Australia.

Read more about sector development.

Research, Trends and Insights

We’re committed to research and data collection on the trends in private sector support that provide insight into philanthropy, sponsorship, partnerships and investment with and in the arts.

In 2018 we commissioned a national survey to estimate the value and significance of private sector support in the arts and learn about the challenges and opportunities facing arts organisations in attracting philanthropic support. The survey is in its final stages with results to be published late 2019.

We also supported the Australian Major Performing Arts Group (AMPAG) in the release of their annual survey on trends and insights into the fundraising of major companies. This report showed an increase in 16% in private sector support to major companies to a total of $111.1 million in 2018.

Read more about our research, trends and insights into private giving.

Creative Partnerships Awards

The Creative Partnerships Awards celebrate exemplary individuals from Australia’s philanthropy, business and arts sectors who show leadership in private giving, philanthropy and business partnerships with the arts.

We congratulate the 2018 winners and thank them for their exceptional contribution to the arts:

Tim Fairfax AC and Gina Fairfax
Philanthropy Leadership Award

Adrian Fini
Business Leadership Award

Beau Neilson
Emerging Philanthropy Leadership Award

Mark Rubbo OAM
Emerging Philanthropy Leadership Award

The late Richard Gill AO
Arts Leadership Award

Read more about the Creative Partnership Awards.

Read our full Annual Report 2018-19 (PDF).