Regional Arts Australia
Regional Arts Australia is the national peak body for regional arts organisations throughout Australia. It was formed in 1966 as the Arts Council of Australia. It advocates better recognition and support for the regional, rural and remote arts sector in Australia. It initiates and manages projects to support regional artists, artsworkers and communities in arts practice, arts promotion and audience development in the regional and rural sectors.
History
The origin of the Arts Council movement in Australia was the New South Wales based Council for the Encouragement of Music and the Arts formed in 1943 by the singer Dorothy Helmrich modelled on the British organisation of the same name. In 1947 the New South Wales Division of CEMA decided to change its name to the Arts Council of Australia with a view to establishing a national body. Lack of funding delayed that vision being realised until 1966. Arts Councils were formed in South Australia, Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory, Queensland, Victoria, the Northern Territory and Western Australia. In 1998, the organisation changed its name to Regional Arts Australia.In 2021, the organisation switched from a member-based structure to being led by a board of directors.