Contemporary Arts Organisations Australia (CAOA) represents a national network of 15 independent, public, not-for-profit small-to-medium (S2M) contemporary visual arts organisations operating across every state and territory. With organisational histories spanning 15 to 51 years, CAOA members are a vital part of Australia’s national cultural infrastructure. Collectively, they commission and present contemporary visual art and research, employ artists and arts workers, deliver education and community access programs, support First Nations leadership and artists from culturally diverse backgrounds, and connect Australian artists with national and international audiences through largely free public programming and partnerships.

CAOA organisations are a major engine of contemporary visual arts production and workforce development in Australia. Over the past three years, members have supported more than 6,500 artists and commissioned over 3,200 new works. Collectively, they reach audiences of more than one million people annually through exhibitions, public programs, touring, publishing, education and community engagement initiatives.

The S2M visual arts sector delivers significant public benefit beyond artistic production. CAOA organisations lead in innovation, diversity and access by supporting First Nations leadership and storytelling, amplifying culturally diverse and underrepresented voices, and providing free, accessible programs nationwide. Through strong community partnerships, education initiatives and international networks, they contribute to cultural participation, social inclusion, wellbeing and global visibility for Australian artists across metropolitan, regional and remote communities in Australia and internationally.

The implementation of Revive has helped stabilise the creative sector and establish important national priorities. However, the current policy framework does not adequately recognise S2M contemporary visual arts organisations as key national infrastructure, delivering on national cultural objectives. This limits policy effectiveness and outcomes for artists, audiences and communities and requires targeted policy intervention.

CAOA calls for mechanisms that explicitly recognise the visual arts sector and provide sustained funding and tax incentives for the S2M organisations that underpin its creative workforce. Despite their demonstrated impact, S2M organisations continue to operate within structurally constrained funding conditions. A decade of static or declining investment has reduced organisational capacity, affected workforce retention and remuneration, and limited the sector’s ability to expand public, educational and international outcomes.


CAOA’s submission calls for a renewed National Cultural Policy that explicitly recognises and invests in the S2M visual arts sector as essential contemporary cultural infrastructure. The S2M sector is the engine room for research and development, innovation, experimentation, commissioning and presentation of independent artists. There is a significant opportunity to directly strengthen opportunities and professional pathways for artists and arts workers, ensuring sustained career development and creative connections with audiences, reflecting the breadth of Australian stories through consistent operational funding to S2M organisations.