The Australia Council for the Arts has announced that it will deliver $6.6 million in aid of 183 artistic projects in its latest grants round. These projects include those intended for career development, regional touring and opportunities abroad. The Australia Council also acknowledged that a further 271 projects were peer assessed and found to be of high merit and deserving of support, but “could not be funded within the scope of the budget”. This latest grants round saw a total of 1353 applications.

Georgia Scott, Peggy Polias, Josephine Macken and Bree van Reyk of the Sydney Conservatorium’s Composing Women program 2018/19. Photo © University of Sydney

“We continue to receive more high quality applications than we are currently able to support, which highlights the incredible opportunity that exists to invest in Australia’s rich creative talent and the development of our nation,” said Frank Panucci, Australia Council Executive Director of Grants and Engagement.

“The Australia Council will continue to advocate for increased investment in the arts throughout 2019 and beyond, recognising the crucial role of the arts in contributing to Australia’s rapidly growing creative economy, as well as the social and cultural success of our...