Indigenous

The Office for the Arts (OFTA) administers a range of Australian Government funding that supports Indigenous culture, languages and visual arts.

Latest news

New 2013-14 Indigenous Languages Support funding open for applications

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community groups are invited to apply for $3 million in additional funding for Indigenous Language Support.

Funding will assist in the development of innovative digital and multi-media language learning resources to revive and preserve Australia’s Indigenous languages.

Expressions of interest close 6:00pm, Thursday 30 May 2013 (AEST).

More information

Available now—new fact sheets

New fact sheets have been released to promote OFTA's Indigenous programs and their achievements, and the importance of support for culture in Closing the Gap.

2013–14 Indigenous Culture, Languages and Visual Arts program funding round

The 2013–14 Indigenous Culture, Languages and Visual Arts program funding round has now closed.

For information on the Indigenous Broadcasting Program see the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy's website.

For additional information or assistance, please phone 1800 006 992.

Advisory Committee for Indigenous Repatriation

On 15 May 2012, Arts Minister Simon Crean announced the members of the Committee who will provide guidance on issues relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander repatriation from the collections of Australian and overseas cultural institutions

The Committee will provide a vital link between the Australian Government, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and international collecting institutions that hold Indigenous ancestral remains and the Australian collection institutions that hold remains and secret sacred objects.

Further information on the Committee.

Name changes for Indigenous languages and visual arts funding

On 24 October 2011, the Minister for the Arts announced changes to the names for Indigenous language and visual arts funding:

  • The Maintenance of Indigenous Languages and Records (MILR) program is now called Indigenous Languages Support (ILS)
  • The National Arts and Crafts Industry Support (NACIS) program is now called Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support (IVAIS).

For more information on these changes, go to Indigenous culture, languages and visual arts funding.

Why the change?

To make it simpler to apply for funding from OFTA, there is a single set of guidelines for OFTA's three funding streams: Indigenous culture, languages and visual arts. Along with the new guidelines, the names for Indigenous languages and visual arts funding (previously MILR and NACIS) have been simplified to more clearly state what OFTA supports. The new guidelines, available at How to apply, provide information about applying for funding through one or more of OFTA's Indigenous culture, languages and visual arts funding streams.

Consolidation of Indigenous repatriation programs

A new Australian Government Indigenous Repatriation Policy—August 2011 (486 KB PDF) | (901 KB RTF) was announced by the Minister for the Arts on 24 October 2011.

The policy consolidates the international and domestic repatriation programs to form one program—the Indigenous Repatriation Program.

The Indigenous Repatriation Program will continue to seek the unconditional return of Indigenous ancestral remains from overseas institutions and the return of secret sacred objects from Australian major museums to their communities of origin.

Transfer of responsibility for the Indigenous Broadcasting Program

On 1 July 2011, responsibility for the Indigenous Broadcasting Program (IBP) transferred from the Office for the Arts (OFTA) to the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy. This transfer occurred in response to a recommendation made by the Review of Australian Government Investment in Indigenous Broadcasting and Media Sector 2010.

To maintain the continuity of program administration, 2013–14 IBP applications will be administered by OFTA staff in the National Network. 

For more information about IBP see the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy's website.

Indigenous culture, languages, repatriation and visual arts funding administered by OFTA

Other policies, programs and initiatives supporting Indigenous arts and culture

  • Indigenous languages—a national approach
    The Australian Government's National Indigenous Languages Policy is a commitment to bring attention to Australia's Indigenous languages, reinforce their use and use language to strengthen identity and pride in culture.
  • Indigenous Contemporary Music Action Plan 
    Australian and New Zealand Cultural Ministers have adopted the Plan to encourage governments to help the Indigenous contemporary music sector achieve its full potential.
  • Breakthrough: Emerging Indigenous Contemporary Musicians Recording Initiative
    The Breakthrough program provides funding to emerging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians and bands to produce a high quality recording of original tracks, suitable for broadcasting and commercial release.
  • Indigenous Art Code
    An industry-led voluntary code of conduct that aims to ensure fair and ethical trade between art dealers and Indigenous visual artists.
  • Resale royalty scheme
    established under the Resale Royalty Right for Visual Artists Act 2009, commenced on 9 June 2010. Under the scheme, artists are eligible to receive five per cent of the sale price when their original works are resold through the art market for $1000 or more.

Related programs administered by the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy


Related programs administered by the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities

Contacts

For information on OFTA's Indigenous arts, culture and languages programs contact the National Network on 1800 006 992.