AusArt Day: Why now is the time for philanthropy.
Philanthropic support has been at the centre of arts funding for hundreds of years. For much of history, it was philanthropy that sustained theatre, opera, dance, fine arts and more, until the 20th century brought the rise of public funding. As governments stepped in, attitudes changed, and many of us came to rightfully expect that taxes would carry the responsibility of supporting our society’s cultural life.
In Australia, the story has always been a little unique. Unlike European countries or the UK, where significant budgets are still dedicated to public funding of arts and culture, here the sector depends much more heavily on philanthropy. And as the needs of the arts community continue to grow, philanthropy has an ever more vital role to play.
Every year, arts companies across the country are being reminded of one of their most fundamental challenges: proving their value to society in ways that resonate beyond art for art’s sake. To grow both public and private support, we must make the case clearly and passionately: the arts matter, and they change lives.
At Bell Shakespeare, this is more than an idea – it is something we witness every day. Arts, culture, and creativity have the power to transform. They nurture wellbeing, ease loneliness, inspire imagination and creativity, and allow individuals and communities to feel a part of something universally shared. These are not abstract benefits, they are real, tangible impacts on people’s lives.
Giving has been core to Bell Shakespeare since the beginning when the late Anthony Gilbert AM supported John Bell’s vision to bring the works of Shakespeare to Australian’s everywhere. In the 35 years since Gilbert’s generous gift, philanthropy has grown and accordingly so has our impact everywhere. For philanthropy to increase, we must continue to grow a national movement that celebrates and champions giving to the arts.
To help create this momentum, Creative Australia has introduced a new initiative AusArt Day, the first national giving day for the arts. This campaign will enable artists and organisations across the country to fundraise together on one dedicated day, expanding the donor pool, building awareness, and elevating the value of creativity in everyday Australian life. This day is especially important for small-medium arts organisations, many of whom haven’t had the resources needed to grow philanthropy.
This exciting national day will take place on Thursday 23 October 2025. This will be a moment for all of us to come together, give generously, and ensure the arts continue to thrive for generations to come.
