Festivals Australia supports arts projects that engage audiences through performances, workshops, installations, parades or exhibitions delivered at a festival or a significant one-off community event.
The program provides two grant rounds of $700,000 each for a total of $1.4 million each year for projects that provide access to a diverse range of engaging, innovative arts projects that grow audiences at festivals across regional and remote Australia.
Regional artists, arts workers and organisations can apply for arts and cultural projects that encourage community participation and audience engagement in regional and remote communities in a festival or community celebration.
Previous successful projects include:
• Moonda Nurra, QLD - a rainbow serpent and spiritual dreamtime story of the Yirendali people, this story was told through a performance at the Festival of Outback Skies held in Hughenden.
• Castlemaine Fringe 2025 Opening Night Spectacular! VIC – the event kick- started the 16-day Castlemaine Fringe Festival. The streets and laneways surrounding the Town Hall were transformed with live music, dance, roving street theatre, live art installations, community choirs and marching bands.
• BEACON, TAS – an immersive dance work featuring 80 local performers designed to examine an uncertain future, help unite the community and build connections. The work was performed at dusk outside at Launceston’s Civic Square as part of the Ten Days on the Island festival.
Round 21 applications close on 7 October 2025 for projects starting from 1 February 2026.
For more information and to apply for funding, visit the Festivals Australia website: https://www.arts.gov.au/funding-and-support/festivals-australia
Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann said that regional areas like Ipswich and the Somerset Region had some of the best community events in the country.
“I love festivals. Community, entertainment and celebration all come together in a way that leaves everybody enriched and excited,” Mr Neumann said.
“Here in Blair, we have some amazing community events, like the Marburg Black Snake Creek Festival, Mardi Gras-Burg in Rosewood, the Teddy Bears’ Picnic in Esk and art exhibitions at the Condensery Somerset Regional Art Gallery in Toogoolawah.
“These events also make a big contribution to our local economy, especially by boosting tourism and hospitality.
“That’s why I’m proud that the Albanese Government is supporting the activities, performances and workshops that take place at these community festivals and exhibitions.
“With more than $700,000 in available funding, I would strongly encourage local artists, arts workers and organisations to submit an application.”
