Festivals Australia

Festivals Australia supports community participation in, and access to, the arts and aims to support partnerships and collaboration across the sector.

Who can apply

Regional artists, arts workers, and organisations can apply for arts and cultural projects that encourage community participation and audience engagement from people living in regional and remote communities in a festival or significant one-off community celebration.

When to apply

Round 21 of Festivals Australia is due to open for applications in September 2025, for projects starting from 1 February 2026.

Funding available

The Australian Government provides approximately $1.4 million each financial year through this program.

About the program

Funding application period: the next funding round is due to open in September 2025.

The above funding period is for projects commencing from 1 February 2026.

Festivals Australia funds engaging arts projects that invite community participation and audience engagement in regional and remote Australia. Projects can include but are not limited to a parade, performance, workshop, installation or exhibition.

The aim is to give people the chance to participate in or attend an arts experience at a festival, or a significant one-off community celebration.

Festivals Australia will only fund a single project (not a range of unrelated activities) delivered at a festival or significant one-off community celebration in an eligible regional or remote location.

All applications are assessed with the assistance of independent assessors.

To check if your project is taking place in an eligible regional or remote location, visit the Festivals Australia Eligibility Map. Enter the full address of where your project will be delivered (including street number and name, postcode, suburb/town), or click on the location on the map. The Remoteness Area Classification Code and eligibility status will be displayed. If you are unsure of your activity location's current Classification Code, please contact us on 1800 590 577 or at Festivals@arts.gov.au.

Program documentation

Festivals Australia program documentation, including program guidelines and frequently asked questions will be available when the round opens on the GrantConnect website at www.grants.gov.au.

After you register simply click on 'Grant Opportunity' to be directed to the appropriate page.