Why wait for change to come when you can make it yourself?

It's a theme that unites a number of recipients of Australia Day honours from the arts world who have devoted their time to projects that bring art to the masses, or shared their personal fortunes to build up arts institutions.

"If I'm in a good mood I forget about all the hard times and I think about just how wonderful it's been," David Handley says. The founder of the 20-year-old Sculpture by the Sea adds: "It's been so exciting to have had an idea that percolated over for eight or so years and have had so many people respond to it."

From its beginnings as a one-day event to a two-city, weeks-long exhibition along the cliff tops from Bondi in Sydney and Cottesloe in Perth, Sculpture by the Sea now boasts attendance figures in the hundreds of thousands. Handley is a member (AM) in the Order of Australia for his efforts.

"I thought by making a major public event it would have such a ripple effect in so many ways that it would make society a better place," he says.

Melbourne barrister Allan Myers QC and his wife, Maria Myers, are both named companions (AC) in the Order of Australia for their philanthropy in the performing and visual arts. The Myers are renowned benefactors whose $6 million gift to the National Gallery of Victoria in 2008, was at that time the single biggest cash donation in the gallery's history. It's estimated they've donated $10 million to the gallery over a number of years.

Mr Myers, former president of the NGV's board of trustees, owner of the acclaimed Royal Mail in Dunkeld and now head of the council at Canberra's National Gallery of Australia, recently donated $10 million to his alma mater the University of Melbourne; the couple have also been recognised for their contributions to higher education, medical research and the law, among other areas.

The eccentric owner of Tasmania's Museum of New and Old Art (MONA), David Walsh, has been considered an anti-establishment figure in the art world since the founding of his genre-breaking museum and twice yearly festivals Mofo and Dark Mofo. Walsh is ushered into the Order of Australia as an (AO).

Sydney gallerist Judith Neilson, whose new $32 million performance and visual arts space in Chippendale has been described as Sydney's MONA, will receive an AM for her services to the arts and efforts as a benefactor to cultural and educational organisations.

Neilson, who runs White Rabbit Gallery, said philanthropists were needed in all areas. "Private support is needed across the whole spectrum of society and culture," she said. "Those who have the capacity should do their bit."

She said establishing her own gallery allowed her to explore the visual arts in a "considered, concentrated way". Asked what motivated philanthropists she said: "I think it is different for everyone. For me, it is simply the joy and excitement of sharing."

Other recipients of the 2016 awards include artist and Australia's 2017 representative at the Venice Biennale Tracey Moffatt (AO), children's entertainer Patsy Biscoe (AM), authors Jackie French (AM) and Geraldine Brooks (AO), musician Shane Howard (AM) and Australian World Orchestra founder and artistic director Andrew Briger​ (AO).