Regional and remote festivals across Australia will benefit from fresh funding for projects celebrating music, dance, theatre, literature and visual arts.
The Government is investing over $700,000 amongst 19 projects through its $1.4 million Festivals Australia program.
This funding is providing regional and remote communities access to diverse, engaging and innovative experiences that encourage participation in the arts. It supports partnerships and encourages collaboration across the arts sector to benefit local communities.
It also delivers a key focus of Revive, Australia’s National Cultural Policy, by supporting festivals that connect communities and promote local talent.
The program delivers two funding rounds each year. Recipients of this latest round include:
- Young Fab and Engaged! NT - Daminmin Festival 2025 engages the next generation, bringing in J-Milla, Yung Milla and Kootsie Don to share their stories and music with the top-end community. In the lead up to the festival artists will come together and take part in workshops at the local Taminmin High School to celebrate Wulna Country, connection and community.
- Castlemaine Fringe VIC - A free Street Party Spectacular to open the 16-day Castlemaine Fringe Festival. The streets and laneways surrounding the Castlemaine Town Hall will be transformed with performance stages and art projections. Featuring live music, dance performances, roving street theatre, live art installations, community choirs and marching bands.
- Crib Road TAS - The heart of The Unconformity Festival - a free gathering place that distils the festival onto the main street of Queenstown. Crib Road pays homage to 'crib rooms', another name for a miner’s break room. Audiences will meet for celebration and invigoration, encountering live music, First Nations cultural practice, experimental art and curated food. Crib Road contributes to audience understanding of Queenstown through the exploration of local industries, environment and the people.
A spokesperson for the Office for the Arts said the program will help spread important stories and the perspectives of regional and rural communities.
“Festivals are about building community, sharing stories and creating memories.
“Festivals provide significant flow-on benefits in regional and remote communities, including opportunities for cultural tourism and economic growth.”
“This program is also supporting regional and remote artists right across Australia to build sustainable practices, which is critical to a vibrant arts sector that reflects Australia’s depth and diversity.”
For a full list of recipients and for more information on the program, visit Festivals Australia | Office for the Arts.