Funding Opportunity: National Heritage Account
The National Cultural Heritage Account helps to retain and protect Australia's cultural heritage for future generations and provide public access to important objects that tell a story about our cultural identity.
Australian cultural organisations that can care for and provide permanent public access to Australian protected objects have a priority for funding.
Given the special significance of Class A objects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage to Indigenous communities, grants in respect of those objects may be made to groups which do not have a permanent public collection.
Funding is approved on a case-by-case basis and usually covers only a proportion of the fair market value of the object. One or more valuations by valuers registered under the Cultural Gifts Program may assist in demonstrating fair market value.
The following Australian protected objects are priorities for funding:
- Class A objects in Australia and overseas
- Class B objects that have been denied an export permit
- Class B objects that have been granted an export permit on condition that they be available at fair market value for purchase by an eligible cultural organisation
- Class B objects that are overseas.
Find out more: The National Cultural Heritage Control List.
How to apply
To apply for funding through the National Cultural Heritage Account, you should submit an application using the Department's SmartyGrants online portal. The SmartyGrants application form is designed to assist applicants to demonstrate how their proposal meets the funding program eligibility requirements and objectives.
Before applying, you should read the National Cultural Heritage Account guidelines. The guidelines include information about the purpose of the program, eligibility for funding assistance, the funding process and responsibilities of funding recipients. The guidelines can be accessed at the Australian Government's GrantConnect website.
Care of your object
Successful applicants must agree to permanently care for and provide public access to that object.
The National Cultural Heritage Committee must be informed if a cultural organisation loses, can no longer care for or keep safe, or wishes to de-accessions an object.
