Artbank facts for kids

Artbank is an Australian program that helps artists and shares amazing art with everyone. It was started in 1980 by the Australian Government.

Artbank buys artworks from talented Australian artists. Then, it rents these artworks to different places like offices, government buildings, and even homes. This helps artists earn money and allows more people to enjoy Australian art. The collection began with 600 artworks and now has over 11,000 pieces by more than 3,500 artists. These artworks include paintings, sculptures, videos, photos, and ceramics.

Artbank makes its own money to operate. It has special storage places for art in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth. It also offers a studio program for artists and designers in Collingwood.

How Artbank Started

Artbank was inspired by a similar program in Canada. In 1979, Bob Ellicott, who was a government minister for the arts, saw the Canadian collection. He thought it was a fantastic idea for Australia.

Minister Ellicott convinced Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser that Australia needed its own art bank. Even though the Treasurer, John Howard, needed a bit more convincing, they set aside A$250,000 to start the program. Artbank officially began in 1980. It received its first 600 artworks from the National Gallery of Australia.

By 1992, Artbank was doing so well that it no longer needed money from the government. It became self-funded, meaning it earned enough money to run itself. In 1997, there was a plan to close Artbank, but many people worked hard to save it. By the year 2000, Artbank was financially strong and continued to grow.

What Artbank Does

Artbank is part of an Australian government department. Its main goals are to support Australian artists by buying their work. It also aims to show the value of Australian art to a wider audience.

The Director of Artbank, as of October 2023, is Zoe Rodriguez.

The Artbank collection started with 600 artworks. It has grown to include more than 11,000 works. These artworks cover many different types, like painting, sculpture, video, and photography. By renting out these artworks, Artbank helps more people see and appreciate Australian art.

Artbank's Collection

As of 2020, Artbank has over 11,000 artworks. These pieces are by more than 3,500 Australian artists from many different backgrounds. The collection includes paintings, sculpture, video art, photographs, and ceramics.

Some famous artists in the collection include Jeffrey Smart, Julie Dowling, John Olsen, and Tracey Moffatt. Artbank chooses artworks based on their cultural importance, not just to make money. This means they can buy unique and sometimes "riskier" pieces. As of 2020, Artbank also has Australia's fastest-growing collection of digital art and multimedia art.

Artbank has art storage facilities in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth. The Melbourne location moved to a converted warehouse in Collingwood in 2018. This Collingwood location also has a special program where artists and designers can apply to use studio spaces.

Renting Artworks

Artbank rents its artworks to many different clients. These include businesses, government groups, and even individuals. For example, in 2018, chef Kylie Kwong rented artworks for her restaurant in Sydney.

Businesses that rent art from Artbank can claim a 100% tax deduction. This means they can reduce the amount of tax they pay. Sometimes, Artbank sells artworks from its collection.

The cost to rent an artwork can range from A$165 to A$5,500 per year. You can rent an artwork for six months to a year, and you can usually keep extending the rental period.