Jo Caust — arts researcher, writer and advocate for artists and cultural life in Australia.
Honorary Professor, University of Melbourne.
Active researcher, author and voice for artists and cultural institutions.
Research & Publications
Active researcher and Honorary Professor at the University of Melbourne, with an extensive record of books, peer reviewed journals and book chapters. Her books are used as prescribed texts in universities internationally.
Arts Advocacy
A passionate advocate for artists’ rights and cultural policy, arguing that the arts are a public good — not an industry to be measured by commercial outcomes — and that government support for artists and cultural institutions is essential.
Media & Commentary
A frequent voice on radio and in public commentary, engaging with arts communities and cultural issues across Australia. Her articles in The Conversation have accumulated 500,000 reads.
In Jo’s own words
“The arts are central to a healthy society — not a luxury, but a public good that belongs to everyone. Artists deserve respect and genuine support, and arts practice should be accessible to all, with full recognition of gender equity and the richness of diverse cultural frameworks. This is what I believe, and it shapes everything I do.”