CULTURAL FUNDING BY GOVERNMENT
PURPOSE
To obtain information about the level of funding provided by the three tiers of government for cultural activities.
DESCRIPTION
The data for the Cultural Funding collection are obtained from a variety of administrative sources, such as the budget papers and annual reports of arts authorities and other public sector authorities such as major events organisations and tourism commissions. Estimates of local government funding of arts and cultural activities are based on the Local Government Finance Statistics collection undertaken by the ABS, supplemented by a triennial survey of local government authorities. The reference period for the survey is the financial year ending immediately prior to data compilation.
GEOGRAPHIC COVERAGE
Australia
FREQUENCY OF COLLECTION
Annual
DATA ITEMS
Value of funding
The value of funding provided by governments for cultural activities.
Value of funding per person
The value of funding divided by the estimated resident population at the mid point of the reference period.
Major cultural activity group
Indicates the major group to which the funded cultural activities belong. The groups are:
Heritage
Arts
Category of heritage activity
Classifies heritage activities into a number of categories. The categories are:
Art museums
Other museums
Nature parks and reserves
Zoological parks and aquaria
Botanic gardens
Libraries
Archives
Category of arts activity
Classifies arts activities into a number of categories. The categories are:
Literature and print media
Performing arts
Performing arts venues
Public halls and civic centres
Visual arts and crafts
Broadcasting and film
Community cultural activities
Administration of culture
Other arts n.e.c.
Category of performing arts
Classifies performing arts activities into a number of categories. The categories are:
Music
Drama
Dance
Music theatre and opera
Other performing arts
Category of broadcasting and film
Classifies broadcasting and film activities into a number of categories. The categories are:
Radio and television services
Film and video
Multimedia
Category of other arts n.e.c.
Classifies other arts n.e.c. activities into two categories. The categories are:
Arts education
Other arts n.e.c.
Level of government
Indicates the level of government which provided the funding. The levels are:
Commonwealth
State and Territory
Local
Sources of Commonwealth funding
Indicates whether Commonwealth funding was provided by the Australia Council or another Commonwealth entity.
Sources of State and Territory funding
Indicates whether State and Territory funding was provided by arts authorities or other authorities.
Type of funding
Indicates whether funding is of a capital or recurrent nature.
Geographic area
Commonwealth funding is only available at the national level, while funding by States, Territories and local government is available at the State and Territory level.
HISTORICAL DATA
Data were first compiled for the 1988-89 financial year by Hans Guldberg for the Australia Council. The next compilation of cultural funding data was undertaken by the ABS in respect of the 1992-93 financial year. The ABS has compiled the data annually since that time.
DISSEMINATION
Publications
Australia Council 1994, Cultural Funding in Australia, 1992-93, Australia Council, Sydney. Free of charge. Also available for 1988-89.
Australian Bureau of Statistics, Cultural Funding by Government, Australia, Cat. no. 4183.0, ABS, Canberra. Price $23.00. Released annually.
Cultural Ministers Council Statistics Working Group, Cultural Funding in Australia: Three Tiers of Government, CMC SWG, Canberra. Available free of charge under 'Statistical information' on the CMC SWG web site at <http://www.dcita.gov.au/swg>. Released annually from 1999-2000.
Cultural Ministers Council Statistics Working Group, Cultural Funding in Australia, CMC SWG, Canberra. Free of charge. Released annually from 1993-94 to 1998-99.
Note that the ABS publication contains the first data released from the collection, while the CMC SWG publication contains more detailed tabulations.
CONTACT
In the first instance, refer to To obtain data or further information in the Introduction to this directory.
Manager
National Centre for Culture and Recreation Statistics
Australian Bureau of Statistics
GPO Box 2272
ADELAIDE SA 5001
Telephone: Adelaide 08 8237 7326
Facsimile: Adelaide 08 8237 7366
Email: nccrs@abs.gov.au