Media Release—Grant opportunity to support First Nations visual arts

Date published:

Applications are now open for funding under the latest open competitive round of the Australian Government’s Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support (IVAIS) program.

Funding totalling approximately $3.9 million is available through the round per annum to eligible organisations that support professional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to produce, promote and market their art. This is in addition to more than $23 million per annum allocated directly to eligible organisations through the program’s closed non-competitive grant opportunity.

The IVAIS program assists in the operations of more than 85 Indigenous-owned art centres and other arts organisations that are at the heart of Australia’s world-famous Indigenous visual art movement.

Funding is delivered to four primary types of organisation including:

  • art centres, mostly in remote and very remote locations
  • industry service organisations
  • art fairs
  • arts hubs, mostly in regional or urban locations.

Applications are sought through the open competitive round that address the intended outcomes of the IVAIS program which are: a professional, viable and ethical Indigenous visual arts industry that features strong participation by and provides economic opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; and the production, exhibition, critique, purchase and collection of Indigenous visual art.

Applications for the IVAIS 2023-24 and 2024-25 open competitive grant opportunity round will close at midnight AEDT on 18 February 2024.

For more information visit the Australian Government's GrantConnect website and search for Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support under grant opportunities or grant opportunity GO6635.

Media contact

media@infrastructure.gov.au | (02) 6136 8112