Federal Partnerships

The Federal Partnerships category supports key Victorian arts organisations, considered of national significance, under joint agreements between the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments.

There are two types of Federal Partnerships, both of which resulted from significant national inquiries into their respective sectors:

• Major Performing Arts - The National Framework for Government's Support of the Major Performing Arts Sector was agreed by Cultural Ministers in August 2011. The Framework continues the partnership between Australian, State and Territory Governments to support artistic excellence and best practice governance and management in the 28 companies designated as Major Performing Arts companies. There are seven Major Performing Arts companies in Victoria - The Australian Ballet, Circus Oz, Malthouse Theatre, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Melbourne Theatre Company, Opera Australia and Orchestra Victoria.

• Visual Arts and Craft Strategy (VACS) - a comprehensive multi-million dollar investment by the Australian, State and Territory Governments to strengthen and sustain Australia's visual arts and craft sector in response to the Contemporary Visual Art and Craft Inquiry (2002), also known as the Myer Report. Key Victorian visual arts and craft organisations are supported through the strategy. Access to VACS funding is through the Multi-year Operations category which is currently under review. Go to the Organisations Program Review page for more information.