The Arts and Screen Employment Pathways Pilot Program (the Program) is seeking applications from eligible service providers to deliver temporary employment placements through the Program. The Program will match early to mid-career d/Deaf and disabled artists and arts workers with arts, cultural, screen and digital games organisations for temporary paid job placements of up to 12 months, for any art form and any position level across Australia. 

Who can apply

Eligible organisations with experience in disability access and the Australian arts, cultural, screen and digital games sectors can apply, either alone or in partnership with another organisation/s. Key personnel delivering the placements also need to have lived experience of disability.

When to apply

The Program is now open and will close at 11:59pm (Canberra local time) on 19 April 2026.

Funding available

A total of $2.2 million (GST exclusive) is available over 3 years from 2025-26 to 2027-28.

About the program

This first phase of the Program is seeking an eligible service provider/s to deliver the temporary paid job placements through a competitive grants process. The Program can be delivered by a single grant recipient, multiple grant recipients or through consortia arrangements.

The successful service provider/s will be responsible for the recruitment, selection, matching and oversight of the placements, in close consultation with the Office for the Arts. This includes providing support to participants and host organisations over the life of the placements and assisting host organisations to ensure they are accessible and culturally safe before placements start.

The Program will benefit participants and host organisations by providing:

  • more opportunities for early to mid-career d/Deaf and disabled artists and arts workers to advance their careers by building professional skills and networks
  • host organisations with access to skilled talent and uplifting their disability confidence and cultural safety to employ more workers with disability in the future. 

There will be a process later in 2026 for host organisations to apply, and then for individual participants to apply and be matched with host organisations. Placements are expected to start in early 2027.

Program documents

The Arts and Screen Employment Pathways Pilot Program grant guidelines include all eligibility and assessment criteria, information about application and assessment processes, and further information about the broader Program.

Grant guidelines

Easy Read translation of the grant guidelines

Frequently asked questions

How to apply

  • All Program documents, including the grant guidelines, are also available on the Australian Government’s GrantConnect website. You will need to register and create a password to access the documents.
  • If you would like to apply, you will need to complete and submit a SmartyGrants application form. You will need to register and create a password.
  • You can preview the application form prior to submitting an application.
  • You can save an incomplete application and come back to it at a later time, as long as you submit it by the closing date. Incomplete applications in SmartyGrants after the closing date will not be considered. 

Funding application period: 9:00am (Canberra local time) on 9 March 2026 to 11:59pm (Canberra local time) on 19 April 2026.

Program logos

The Program logos are used to acknowledge Australian Government funding.

Program logos and brand guidelines

Stay up to date 

As the Program is implemented, more information will be available on this page and the department's social media channels on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. 

You can also register for our Equity e-newsletter through our contact form.

Contact us

If you have any questions about the Arts and Screen Employment Pathways Pilot Program, you can contact us:

Email: Arts.Disability@arts.gov.au 

Phone: 1800 080 090 (during business hours of 9:00am to 5:00pm [Canberra local time] Monday to Friday)

Write to us at:
Arts Inclusion and Workforce Section
Office for the Arts
GPO Box 2154
Canberra ACT 2601

Apply now