The State's first-ever 10-year cultural policy - A Place to Create - has been launched with the promise that it will help to ensure that all South Australians have access to arts, cultural and creative experiences.

The policy will be delivered by the newly rebadged CreateSA (formerly Arts South Australia) with the help of more than $80 million in extra funding.

Through the policy the State Government is supporting more artists and creatives to thrive and ensuring South Australia's arts organisations, creative businesses and cultural institutions are robust and sustainable for the future.

Highlights of the policy include:

• More than $15 million to support the Art Gallery of South Australia to deliver world-class programs and attract new audiences including through a new Winter Art Series.
• More than $3 million to build the international profile of South Australia's arts, culture and creative industries through showcasing our creative capabilities to the world.
• More than $2.5 million to kickstart opportunities for children and young people to develop their creativity including through Adelaide Youth Orchestras, Carclew and an interactive new language rich experience for young children at the State Library of South Australia.
• $1 million to boost philanthropic opportunities and attract private investment to strengthen the sector including dollar-for-dollar matched fundraising programs for cultural organisations such as Adelaide Festival.
• More than $1 million to increase grants programs to support arts organisations and create new, original work by South Australian artists and creatives.
• More than $2.3 million into First Nations arts and culture in South Australia.
• More than $1.5 million to increase the existing programs and initiatives supporting more original local music and live music venues, through the Music Development Office.
• More than $500,000 to enliven regions with arts, culture and creativity including through programs delivered by Country Arts SA.

In addition to the $80 million invested through the policy, its delivery will be supported through the State Government's annual investment of $149 million in the arts, cultural and creative industries through the Department of the Premier and Cabinet.

For young actor, filmmaker, musician and singer Harrison Thomas (pictured), A Place to Create is recognition of the vital role the arts played in the cultural and economic fabric of SA.

"Today is an amazing day for artists in our state," Harrison said.

"Creativity and the celebration of arts is our birthright, and fostering a culture of support and opportunity for South Australian artists is so vital at every stage of their careers, but particularly in their youth.

"Today's announcement provides a pathway to real, tangible goals that will support young artists to develop and sustain successful careers in the arts. What this plan provides is hope."

The plan was also warmly welcomed by the Art Gallery of South Australia (AGSA), which has secured a $15 million investment to be used to bring major international exhibitions exclusively to Adelaide during the winter seasons 2026-29.

"The Winter Art Series will consolidate our vision to be the most inspiring art destination in Australia by bringing exceptional international works of art and major collections to Adelaide, to be exhibited alongside AGSA’s internationally significant collection," AGSA Director Jason Smith said.

"These destination experiences will complement AGSA’s acclaimed flagship offerings – Tarnanthi Festival, Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art and the Ramsay Art Prize."

The first exhibition in the Winter Art Series, to be held in winter 2026, will be announced later this year.

Public consultation for new legislation to enshrine the value of the arts in South Australia, is now open. To read the draft bill and share your feedback, please visit the YourSAy website.

For more information, visit CreateSA (external site).