Our annual report 2016-17
Our annual report for 2016-17 outlines key achievements and outcomes as we work to build a vibrant and sustainable arts sector for all Australians.
It has been a productive and rewarding year for us as we continue to support the arts and cultural sector to secure private investment, and provide the resources and expertise needed to help artists and arts organisations prosper. Read our CEO’s message.
At a glance
We delivered more than $3.93 million to the arts sector through matched funding and Australian Cultural Fund grants.
Australian Cultural Fund
It was another good year of growth for the Australian Cultural Fund (ACF), with the volume of donations increasing by more than 50%. This year we celebrated a significant milestone – over $20 million has been donated to artists and arts organisations since the ACF was established in 2003. More artists than ever are using the ACF to fund their artistic practice, find new donors and stay in touch with supporters. Read more about the Australian Cultural Fund.
Funding Programs
By matching funds secured through the fundraising endeavours of artists and arts organisations, we’re supporting them to diversify their revenue streams, achieve their artistic goals and become more robust in the long-term. A total of 36 arts organisations raised $1,583,301 through Plus1 fundraising campaigns this year, and with our contribution of $1,164,500 in matched funding a total of $2,747,801 was injected into the sector. This year we launched the new iteration of our matched funding program for independent artists and groups, MATCH Lab. A total of 25 independent artists and groups were accepted into the program. We expect them to raise around $231,900 from new and established donors, and receive matched funding from us. Read more about our funding programs.
Sector Development
Our sector development strategy aims to contribute to a more knowledgeable, confident and stable arts fundraising profession. This year we delivered 23 professional development events attended by 950 people, including masterclasses, bequests and planned giving workshops and fundamentals of fundraising workshops. Our state managers continued to provide on-the-ground support and one-on-one advice to arts companies around Australia, delivering more than 540 coaching and mentoring sessions with 300 arts organisations nationally. Read more about sector development.
Creative Partnerships Awards
We brought together more than 100 guests from Australia’s arts, philanthropic and business communities to celebrate the contribution of five remarkable individuals. Awards were presented across four categories to: Joseph O’Brien, Emerging Philanthropy Leadership Award; Ian Narev, Business Leadership Award; Sheena Boughen, Arts Leadership Award; Andrew Cameron AM
and Cathy Cameron, Philanthropy Leadership Award. Read more about our awards.
Research
We’re committed to tracking trends in philanthropic giving and business sponsorship, assessing the capacity of arts organisations and artists to secure private support and reporting
insights back to the sector. This year we led Australia-first research commissioned by the Department of Social Services on collective giving, a relatively new model of
giving in Australia; and released the first estimate of private contributions to the arts in Australia since 2009-10, in partnership with the Bureau of Communications and Arts. Read more about our research.
Read the full report (PDF).
