AICSA Member Survey: Advocacy Priorities
AICSA welcomes The Hon. Kyam Maher MLC as the new Minister for Arts and The Hon. Sarah Andrews MP as the Assistant Minister for Arts.
This is a great opportunity to reflect on the previous four years and renew the vision and aims for arts and culture for the next four years. AICSA looks forward to working with the new Minister and Assistant Minister, especially as we represent both the independent artists and small-to-medium sector as well as the whole arts, cultural and creative sector.
AICSA recently conducted a survey of both members and the wider cultural sector, seeking input for key priorities for 2026. The survey results indicate that funding continues to be the number one priority for the arts, cultural and creative sector in South Australia. Respondents noted that increases to the overall level of funding as well as specific grant programmes or instruments that support independent artists and artistic practice (rather than project or outcome based funding) are urgently required to ensure the sustainability of the South Australian arts ecosystem. These initiatives could include an increase in fellowships, or new models of funding, such as direct support for artists modelled on basic income for artists schemes.
The sector continues to strongly advocate for increased recognition of the arts, cultural and creative sector as part of public policy and calls for associated prioritisation from both the public sector and the Government. AICSA has been working closely and collaboratively with CreateSA and the former Minister and we look forward to strengthening these relationships in 2026. A possible new initiative that our survey respondents suggested was an annual conference, where the Government could be a major partner. A regular event would provide skills development, dialogue and new ideas to emerge, in addition to providing a much needed engagement and connection point within the sector and with the Government.
Our full priorities list can be found below.
AICSA 2026 Advocacy Priorities
Centrality of Artists
Ensure the Artists at Work Taskforce report recommendations are prioritised and included in the State Cultural Policy delivery plans.
Ensure that dedicated funding streams are available and accessible to independent artists, including through programmes that support artistic practice (non project based) such as fellowships.
Ensure artists are included in consultations and decision-making processes, also ensuring that they are remunerated for their time at an appropriate level.
Advocacy, recognition and engagement
Ensure that the legislation The Arts, Culture and Creative Industries Bill 2025, introduced in November 2025, is passed. AICSA highlights the increasing need and importance to safeguard “freedom of artistic expression and creativity”.
Continue to advocate at the Federal level, with the Minister, Department and with Creative Australia to ensure better outcomes for South Australian artists and arts organisations in relation to funding and opportunities.
Continue to connect South Australian cultural policy A Place to Create with the national cultural policy Revive.
Consider, support and ensure that government engagement is inclusive of the whole arts ecosystem, so that the full diversity of the sector is recognised (for example, ensure that major events such as Ruby Awards include the independent and small-to-medium sectors).
Make public the Designated Live Music Venues list as described in the Planning, Development and Infrastructure (Designated Live Music Venues and Protection of Crown and Anchor Hotel) Amendment Bill 2024.
Funding and transparency
AICSA calls for an increase in overall funding levels for the arts, cultural and creative sector.
Ensure that there are funding and grant programmes that exclusively target artists (both regarding CreateSA and MDO funding programmes).
Continue to work towards lowering the administrative burden of grant applications and acquittal.
Ensure that both processes and decisions that relate to the granting of all public funds to the sector are transparent and equitable. AICSA in particular highlights the Live Music Event Fund and the Arts Investment Fund as current initiatives where information is not readily available.
Ensure that statistical information about the sector, for example information about funding allocations, levels and recipients, is provided back to the sector in a collaborative and transparent manner.
Governance
Commence a review of nomination processes for Ministerial appointments to Government Boards, as they relate to the Minister for Arts’ responsibilities.
As part of the review, consider adopting open processes for recruitment of Board members and ensure that board diversity is increased to ensure membership includes artists, First Nations, CALD, and disability representation.
Provide a best practice framework for publicly funded organisations to follow, encouraging the whole arts, cultural and creative sector to focus on implementing best practices for governance and board diversity.