Chair of the Australia Council for the Arts, Rupert Myer AM, today congratulated those Australian artists, educators and administrators whose contribution to the cultural life of our nation has been recognised in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

On behalf of the Australia Council I would like to extend our congratulations to all of the arts and cultural recipients of Honours in this years Queen’s Birthday Honours List, said Australia Council Chair Mr. Rupert Myer.

This recognition is integral to who we are as Australians. These Honours help define, encourage and reinforce our national cultural aspirations. They acknowledge, celebrate and thank those who make a difference, those who achieve their best and those who have made an enduring contribution to Australia’s creative life.

I am delighted to see that artists and arts leaders across the whole spectrum of the arts have been recognised across all of the Honours categories, said Mr. Myer. Some are well known to Australian and even international arts communities, while others have dedicated their time and passion for little recognition.

Significantly, many of those recognised have selflessly fostered and supported young and emerging creative talent, ensuring that generations of Australians benefit from their experience. In particular, it very gratifying to note the many Australians who have been acknowledged in the OAM category for the contribution they have made to local and community arts organisations across the nation, Mr Myer said.

Each year the Australia Council makes approximately 1800 grants valued at more than $170m to artists and more than 160 organisations in every state and territory in the fields of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts, music, community partnerships, literature, theatre, visual arts, and dance. All of the Council’s funding decisions are made at arm’s length from government by peer review.