Local festivals and cultural events across rural, regional and remote Australia have a fresh opportunity to receive a critical boost from the Australian Government.
The Festivals Australia program provides $1.4 million of funding each year for arts activities in regional and remote Australia, allowing people to experience arts and culture locally, and supporting community participation and audience engagement.
Round 20 is now open for application for projects starting from 1 July 2025.
Funding is available for individual arts projects including performances, workshops, installations, parades or exhibitions held as part of a festival or a significant one-off community celebration.
The program generates creative opportunities and jobs for artists and arts workers, as well as providing significant flow-on benefits for local tourism and allied industries.
The program recognises the crucial role festivals play in connecting communities and promoting local talent to tell Australian stories – a key focus of Revive, Australia’s National Cultural Policy.
Previous projects that have benefitted from the program include:
Waymaker, by Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts, presented at the PUNQ Festival. This exhibition celebrated First Nations elders of North Queensland, using the ubiquitous and popular mode of commuter advertising, the billboard. This exhibition illuminated First Nations Elder stories of the lands traversed between Warrgamay, Nywaigi and Bandjin Country (Hinchinbrook) through Wulgurukaba and Bindal Country (Townsville) to Gudjal Country (Charters Towers).
Oscillations, by Red Dirt Poetry Festival, saw poets and musicians partnered to present collaborations in sound and spoken-word poetry. Cascading soundscapes and poetry took audiences on a journey through time and space.
The ArtStory Walk, by Shine On Productions, was a storytelling platform showcasing Australia’s artistic excellence and First Nations culture. Songlines, creation stories and cultural narratives were revealed through art and technology, creating an evocative First Nations art installation as part of the 2024 Shine On Gimuy festival.
Round 20 of Festivals Australia will close at 11:59pm AEDT, Tuesday 18 March 2025.
For more information on funding and how to apply follow: Festivals Australia | Office for the Arts.