In a fiscally challenging environment, data indicates that governments should pursue strategic and structural change to maximise government investment in Australia’s arts and culture system. On a GDP basis, Australia is spending around one-quarter less than its OECD peers on ‘recreation, culture and religion’. This paper identifies actions and big picture opportunities.

This report explains the system that delivers arts and cultural experiences in Australia, from broad and grassroots through to specialised and professional. It demonstrates how the arts and culture system is organised, governed and developed. The report also highlights how cultural literacy and creative skills building occur across the population.

This policy action brief explores what Australian governments should be doing now to build an arts and culture system that delivers for all Australians. A broad range of enabling actions, in addition to direct funding, are available to governments to strengthen cultural access and foster robust cultural industries. The brief provides a roadmap for action.

This position paper outlines two practical actions that governments can take now to secure Australia’s place as a cultural powerhouse by 2035. The first is to develop a new 10-year national arts and culture strategy. The second is to establish a Ministerial Council on cultural access and the cultural and creative industries.

This report showcases practical actions governments can take, beyond direct cultural funding, to support cultural access and strengthen creative industries. The report identifies eight ‘pro-culture’ enablers – uniquely available to governments – to make it easier for creators to work, creative businesses to operate, and consumers to access experiences and products.