Start an ArtsNational Society
Build community connection in your region by bringing professional and engaging arts‑talks delivered by Australian and international lecturers to your local community. Whether you are located in one of Australia’s major cities, or a regional community, an ArtsNational Society can make a huge impact to arts lovers in your area.
Why Start a Society?
ArtsNational is a recognized national, volunteer‑led not‑for‑profit association that has been connecting people with the arts across Australia since 1989. Local Societies provide illustrated lectures by renowned experts, foster social connection, support Australian heritage conservation and also support local young artists and young arts organisations. If your community doesn’t yet have a Society (or you believe there’s room for another), you can be a part of building something meaningful for your community — make new cultural connections, offer learning opportunities, and enrich the local arts scene.
What a Society does
- Runs a program of illustrated talks on art, architecture, design, heritage, history, and culture delivered by local and international experts in their field.
- Acts as a community hub for social connection, refreshments, meetups, and special interest days.
- Supports local young and emerging artists, local and national heritage projects, and a range of conservation programs.
- Operates as a local volunteer committee under the umbrella and governance support of ArtsNational.
Why Partner with ArtsNational?
- Access a strong national brand with a proven community model consisting of an established and supportive network of over 36 Societies with over 5,500 members across regional and metropolitan Australia.
- ArtsNational are affiliated with The Arts Society (TAS) in the UK who have 300 Societies with over 64,000 members globally providing a wealth of experience and supporting resources.
- Receive guidance and support on governance, branding, speaker networks, and cross‑society collaboration.
- Leverage national partnerships to enhance local offerings.
- Become an important local area resource, support fundraising, encourage volunteer participation, build your membership, and enhance your local community.
How To Set Up a New Society – Step by Step
1. Gather interest & form a founding group
Identify a small team of passionate volunteers. Define your local catchment area and hold an initial meeting to discuss vision and objectives.
2. Contact ArtsNational
Send an expression of interest to newsocieties@artsnational.au. ArtsNational will provide guidance on viability, governance, targets and membership models.
3. Develop your governance & committee
Form a committee (consisting of at least a Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Marketing). Adopt ArtsNational’s constitution template and register as a not‑for‑profit with the Australian Charities and not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). ArtsNational can provide guidance on committee positions, responsibilities and structure.
4. Plan your lecture program
Decide lecture frequency and venue. Work with ArtsNational’s team to choose from national and international speakers and topics that will excite your community.
5. Membership & audience building
Define membership tiers and pricing. Use ArtsNational’s marketing templates to promote your new Society locally and online.
6. Launch & growth
Host an inaugural event to launch your Society. Recruit more volunteers and refine programming with community feedback.
7. Sustain and evolve
Monitor membership and engagement. Develop events, excursions, and maintain communications with members.
8. Build Your Community
Have fun building new relationships within your community and building the reputation of your Society as a beacon for the arts in your area. Each ArtsNational Society is committed to face-to-face relationships as they build a sense of togetherness and community with like-minded people. You can choose how many lectures you present each year, which local young artists (or arts organisations) your Society wishes to support and more. Enjoy the journey.
What We Ask of You
- Uphold the mission, values and standards of ArtsNational.
- Volunteer time to the committee and Society operations.
- Partner with the national body and participate in shared initiatives.
- Ensure transparent governance and financial management.
- Commit to long‑term community engagement and sustainability.
What We Provide
- National support including branding templates, program guidance, customized web page for your Society and speaker networks and more.
- Access to national initiatives like the Young Arts program and national heritage conservation programs through the Patricia Robertson fund.
- Marketing assistance, governance advice, and operational templates.
- 2 meetings a year (one face-to-face) with the chairs of all the Societies around Australia to share information and build a national support network.
- Credibility and visibility of your Society under the recognized ArtsNational umbrella.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much does it cost to start a Society?
A: Costs vary by venue and lecture frequency. ArtsNational will provide seed funding along with budget templates and financial guidance.
Q: Do we have to be experts in art or heritage?
A: No. All that’s required is a passion for the arts and a willingness to learn.
Q: What support does ArtsNational give for speakers?
A: You’ll have access to a curated annual program of lecturer and presentation choices coupled with extensive guidance on programming for your area. The final decisions on who you choose and what your Society presents are up to your committee.
Q: What kind of venue do we need?
A: Community halls, libraries, or theatres that can seat around 100 people are ideal.
Q: What size membership do existing Societies have?
A: Membership varies widely with numbers ranging from 75 to over 300 members. It is recommended that you look to start with at least 100 members.
Q: What if our region is small or rural?
A: Many regional areas already have successful Societies. ArtsNational will assess viability and guide you.
Q: What kind of ongoing support do we get to operate our Society?
A: There is a wealth of information available to your Society through the shared Societies Portal from extensive marketing documentation, membership support, financial guidance and more. Your Society will also be supported by a dedicated Lecturer Coordinator for your area, national support staff, plus you will able to contact other Society Chairs for guidance and on-the-ground support.
Next Steps
If you’re ready to explore creating a new Society in your local area, email your expression of interest to newsocieties@artsnational.au. Include your name, location, and a brief outline of your community’s potential interest. ArtsNational will get in touch to discuss further and also provide you with the ‘Start a Society Kit’ containing constitution templates, budgeting templates, marketing guides and more when you are ready to move ahead. We look forward to working with you to bring all the benefits of a new ArtsNational Society to your region.
Contact
For more information:
Bevan Rigato, General Manager
P: 0416 079 218
E: gm@artsnational.au
CONTACT US and we’ll get you CONNECTED
ArtsNational is open to everyone and new members are always very welcome
Interested in starting a society in your area?
Contact: newsocieties@artsnational.au
Mailing Address
PO Box 1418
Albury NSW 2640
ABN
91 683 036 082