New body to promote private arts support

Arts Minister Simon Crean has announced the creation of a new institution to better promote philanthropy, sponsorship and business support for the arts.

 Speaking at the Melbourne Recital Centre on August 1 about the importance of philanthropy in Australian cultural life, Crean said the new body will merge the Australia Business Arts Foundation (AbaF) and Artsupport Australia program.

 “Harold Mitchell’s review of private sector support, and the review of the Australia Council, both recommended a single body be established to drive private giving,” Mr Crean said.

 “This recognises the importance of a partnership approach to investing in the arts. To meet the demand for investment, there must be a strong investment partnership between governments, the private sector and the community.

 “The new institution will build on the successes of AbaF and Artsupport and have a dedicated focus on attracting private sector support through philanthropy, sponsorship and business support.

 “It will join the dots between facilitating private giving and philanthropy, encouraging sponsorship and corporate giving, building partnerships between artists, business and private donors, and recognising the contribution of philanthropists and the business sector in supporting the arts.

 “Strong partnerships will play a vital role in delivering the objectives set in the National Cultural Policy.”

 Mr Crean said Mr Mitchell’s review put forward a suite of recommendations that, if implemented, will establish the right conditions to broaden and strengthen the base of giving to the arts.

 “The challenge is then for the arts sector, philanthropists and business, to forge strong and long–term partnerships to take advantage of those conditions,” Mr Crean said.

 Mr Crean said the new body will commence on 1 July 2013.