The current Australian tax treatment of the arts industry

  In 2009, Arts Queensland will partner with the Centre for Social Impact, University of New South Wales to initiate a national research project which responds to key action areas identified by the Creative Australia Stream at the 2020 Summit (April 2008). Based on a robust analysis of existing models of arts support for individual artists, other regimes and their effectiveness internationally, this work will investigate new and improved financing and funding opportunities for arts in Australia. Particularly, it will explore the feasability of an Endowment of the Arts. This report provides an overview of the current Australian tax treatment of the arts industry, focusing on artists, art bodies and contributors and gives some insightful observations where the taxation system could change to benefit the arts industry