OftA (Aus) release Natl Cultural Institutions

Impact of our National Cultural Institutions, Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts, July 2025

The Office for the Arts work collaboratively with the National Cultural Institutions to better understand trends in their activities. This is the 12th year this data has been captured, building a comprehensive picture of trends in visits, audience reach and educational programs over time.

In the 2023–24, the arts and cultural sector experienced several challenges primarily driven by changing consumer behaviour and uncertainty surrounding economic recovery post-COVID. The National Cultural Institutions were impacted by these sector-wide changes.

These infographics reflect the performance of the National Cultural Institutions in 2023–24.

2023–24 results

The National Cultural Institutions are:

Note: Creative Partnerships Australia also contributed to the 2021–22 national cultural institution data. From 1 July 2023, Creative Partnerships Australia’s functions will be delivered through Creative Australia (formerly the Australia Council) following changes as part of the Australian Government’s National Cultural Policy, Revive: a place for every story, a story for every place.

All National Cultural Institutions included in the 2021–22 data were within the Australian Government’s arts portfolio in 2021–22, with the exception of the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House. The Museum of Australian Democracy was part of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet portfolio until July 2022, when it became part of the Arts Portfolio within the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts following Machinery of Government changes.