Art Indemnity Australia (AIA) – a Commonwealth-supported program focused on providing Australians with access to the world’s great art exhibitions – was given an extra $6.1 million in last week’s Federal Budget to cover rising liability insurance costs.

The body has provided insurance cover to a variety of large-scale visiting art exhibitions. It said in a statement that its success is not only measured by the number of valuable art exhibitions it brings to the country, but also by Australia’s international reputation as a safe place to lend cultural treasures.

“In successfully managing the Commonwealth’s risk, AIA has contributed to the world-class conservation and security standards that exist in major cultural institutions in Australia.”