NAVA’s response to Creative Australia’s governance review announcement

The National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA) acknowledges Creative Australia’s appointment of governance advisory firm Blackhall and Pearl to review the decision-making processes for the 2026 Venice Biennale. While this is a necessary step toward transparency, its effectiveness depends on a comprehensive approach that examines not just internal procedures, but also broader governance and leadership issues that have impacted sector confidence.

As the Australian Government’s principal arts investment and advisory body, Creative Australia is mandated to uphold freedom of expression and support Australian arts practices that reflect the country’s diversity. The withdrawal of Khaled Sabsabi’s selection for the Venice Biennale has raised concerns about how these principles are being upheld, leading to a loss of trust in Creative Australia’s governance.

“NAVA welcomes this review as a step toward greater transparency,” said NAVA Executive Director, Penelope Benton. “However, without a clear commitment to public accountability and sector engagement, it risks being a procedural exercise rather than a meaningful effort to restore trust.”

“NAVA deeply values Creative Australia’s role in supporting artists and championing artistic freedom,” Benton continued. “Strong, independent governance is essential to protecting the integrity of arts funding and ensuring artists have the freedom to create without external interference.”

The continued absence of a Head of Visual Arts within Creative Australia further highlights the need for strong sector leadership to advocate for and support artists.

NAVA urges Creative Australia to:

• Publicly release the full findings of the review, including any risk assessments and mitigation measures undertaken in relation to the withdrawal of the artistic team. 
• Disclose the decision-making process that led to rescinding Sabsabi’s selection and commit to independent processes for future decisions. 
• Clarify how Blackhall and Pearl were appointed to conduct this review.
• Engage directly with visual artists, curators, and sector representatives to assess the broader implications of governance decisions.
• Embed cultural competency at all levels of leadership to strengthen inclusivity and representation.
• Address increasing concerns of racism within the arts community to support an inclusive and equitable environment for all artists.
• Champion artists and uphold the integrity of publicly funded arts programs, ensuring that the full context of artists’ works is considered and supported.

What can artists and the sector do?

With a federal election approaching, now is a critical time to support Creative Australia’s independence. Strong, transparent governance is essential to maintaining sector confidence and safeguarding arms-length decision-making in the arts.

Artists, arts workers, and supporters can engage with their local MPs to ensure Creative Australia remains an independent, arms-length funding body. Key actions include:

• Raising concerns about transparency and accountability in decision-making.
• Defending arms-length funding processes to protect artists from external pressures.
• Ensuring Creative Australia’s independence is upheld, so future funding decisions remain free from undue influence.
• Encouraging peers to participate in Creative Australia’s peer assessment processes, helping to sustain independent, artist and sector-led decision-making.

“The best way to protect arms-length, peer-reviewed funding is to participate in it,” Benton added. “A strong and diverse pool of assessors ensures that funding decisions reflect the breadth of Australia’s arts sector and remain free from external influence.”

The integrity of arts funding decisions relies on transparency, independence, and trust. The visual arts sector deserves a process that fully accounts for the damage done and safeguards future selection processes from undue influence. 

NAVA looks forward to constructive engagement with Creative Australia’s leadership and the sector throughout this review.

Media Enquiries
Leya Reid
media@visualarts.net.au

About NAVA
The National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA) is a Membership organisation that brings together the many voices of the contemporary arts sector to improve fundamental conditions of work and practice. We do this through advocacy, education and the Code of Practice. For further information on NAVA visit www.visualarts.net.au