Creative Australia

AusArt Day 2025 has raised over $2.2 million for Australian artists and arts organisations. Thank you to all thoses who donated, supported and promoted the day! This event is more than a fundraiser — it is a national public movement that celebrates and elevates the role of the arts in Australian life. Creative Australia is committed to equip artists and arts organisations with the tools, platforms and capability to maximise income generated from private investment, as we continually strengthen our role and programs to support the sector to enhance fundraising capacity. Find out more at creative.gov.au/ausartday #AusArtDay #CreativeAustralia

Continuing our celebration of the 2025 Don Banks Music Award recipients, we honour Peter ‘Blackie’ Black. Co-founder, guitarist, and main songwriter for the Hard-Ons, Peter helped shape Australian punk, inspiring generations and earning fans like Dave Grohl and Henry Rollins. Beyond the band’s 17 consecutive No. 1s on the alternative charts, Peter’s solo work is equally extraordinary - he once released a new original song every single day for an entire year! His commitment to music, 'art-for-art’s-sake' ethos, and fearless creativity continue to influence countless artists.

The Hard-Ons have been a force in Australian music for decades – and on Aus Music T Shirt Day, we celebrate two of its founding members and the 2025 Don Banks Music Award recipients. First up: Ray Ahn. As founding member of the Hard-Ons, Ray has been performing and releasing music non-stop since 1982, championing the DIY ethic and redefining what punk can be. His genre-defying creativity, visual artistry, and unwavering independence have inspired generations, especially artists from diverse backgrounds. Ray’s influence goes beyond music - he’s a fierce supporter of community and emerging talent, proving that music is an adventurous, lifelong endeavour.

We have announced a major expansion of our investment in leadership development, with the launch of the Leadership Capability program to deliver more opportunities for artists, creative workers, managers and board members across Australia. The program will deliver open-access labs, scholarships, targeted workshops, and grants for governance training. Applications open February 2026. Read more 👉 https://brnw.ch/21wXRqo Australian Rural Leadership Foundation Cranlana Centre for Ethical Leadership Small Giants Academy

“She is the epitome of a dance artist—rigorous, humble, generous, curious, persistent, resilient, socially responsible, politically engaged.” Congratulations to Rosalind Crisp, recipient of the Creative Australia Award for Dance at the 2025 Creative Australia Awards! For 40 years, Rosalind has challenged the codes of contemporary dance, asking the question: “What has dance got to say?” She founded Omeo Dance Studio in Sydney in 1996 before being invited to Paris in 2002, where she became Associate Artist at Atelier de Paris (2004–2014). Honoured as Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 2015, Rosalind has performed worldwide, including the Sydney Opera House and is currently commissioned by the Dresden Frankfurt Dance Company. Based in regional Victoria, her sustained exploration of dance continues to inspire audiences and artists. Images (in order) ‘Danse’, 2007 Performance Space, Sydney. Shh! 2022 Saalfrei Labor festival, Stuttgart. The real time it takes… 2023 Liveworks, Sydney. ‘Danse’, 2007 Performance Space, Sydney.

“Scotia is a powerful and committed ally to artists and advocates for communities in the context of increasing climate-related disaster events in Australia.” Congratulations to Scotia Monkivitch, recipient of the Ros Bower Award for Community Arts and Cultural Development at the 2025 Creative Australia Awards! As Founder and Executive Officer of the Creative Recovery Network, Scotia has led national initiatives embedding culture and creativity into Australia’s disaster management system. Her work spans movement-based theatre, installation-performance, film, live art, and online collaboration – bridging communities, organisations, and government to strengthen the role of arts in social recovery and resilience. This award is recognition of Scotia’s deep listening, courageous advocacy, and unwavering commitment to artists and communities facing adversity. Image credits (in order) Mouthful of Pins Bali. Image: Margi Brown Ash. Beast Performance. Image: L Businovsk. CaCa Courage. Image courtesy of artist. Beach dance workshop. Image: Scotia Monkivitch. Creative Recovery Training. Image: Scotia Monkivitch. Fountain project Indonesia. Image: Suzon Fuks. Image: Michelle Troop. Walking Borders Thailand. Image: Nathan Stoneham. Uncle Milton recording. Image courtesy of artist. Image: Michelle Troop.

“From the day I met you, I knew you were here to set the world on fire with your truth-telling, your advocacy, your passion…” Congratulations to Moale James-Proud, recipient of the Kirk Robson Award for Community Arts and Cultural Development at the 2025 Creative Australia Awards! Moale is a storyteller at heart - an artist, writer, journalist, curator, and producer - whose work spans theatre, podcasts, photography, spoken word, and community workshops. Through her practice, she uplifts communities, amplifies voices, and creates safe spaces for women and matriarchs, all while fostering a better future for generations to come. Image credits ‘Sis’ performance and event, 'A'inaisa' QAGOMA, 2024. Image: C Baxter. ‘Sis’ exhibit, 'From old to new old' QAGOMA 2024. Image courtesy of artist. Image: Thomas Oliver Receiving marks. Image courtesy of artist. 'Bilum Stories Exhibition', Cairns Court Art Gallery. Courtesy of artist. ‘Sis’ performance, 'A'inaisa' QAGOMA, 2024. Image: C Baxter. The Native Bride. Image: Nikita Pere.

We are currently inviting applications for the Digital Specialist in Residence – for First Nations Organisations program, a digital capacity building residency for First Nations arts and culture organisations. See grant opportunities and guidelines here: https://lnkd.in/gRKrnppp #CreativeAustralia #FirstNationsArts

An evening of celebration and recognising the contributions of outstanding artists to their art forms, and to the cultural life of the nation at Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art.   Enjoy these highlights from our 2025 Creative Australia Awards, and huge congratulations to all the recipients!🏆   📸: Stefan Daniljchenko (Photography at Large)   Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gj2cbFvR #CreativeAustraliaAwards2025

Congratulations to all of the 2025 Creative Australia Award recipients! 🏆👉🏽 https://lnkd.in/ggT8QSpP From pioneering punk musicians and experimental sound artists to acclaimed poets, theatre directors and First Nations storytellers, the Awards acknowledge artists at all stages of practice, spanning literature, visual arts, theatre, dance, music, experimental, community arts and cultural development, and the arts and disability sector. Meet the recipients: • Dance: Rosalind Crisp • Theatre: Kate Champion • Visual Arts: Jenny Watson • Lifetime Achievement in Literature: Judith Beveridge • Arts and Disability Award (Established): Uncle Paul Constable-Calcott • Arts and Disability Award (Early Career): Yousef Alreemawi • Arts and Disability Award (Early Career): Honor Eastly • Ros Bower Award for Community Arts and Cultural Development: Scotia Monkivitch • Kirk Robson Award for Community Arts and Cultural Development: Moale James-Proud • Emerging Experimental Arts: Robin Fox • Don Banks Music Award: Peter Black • Don Banks Music Award: Raymond Ahn Music Australia Writing Australia #CreativeAustraliaAwards2025