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 community celebration.
When to apply
Festivals Australia closed on 4 October 2023 and applications are currently being assessed. The next funding round is expected to open in February 2024 for projects starting from 1 July 2024.
Funding available
The Australian Government provides approximately $1.4 million each financial year through this program.
About the program
Please note:
Festivals Australia funds high-quality 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 a regional or remote location.
Please note:
Classification Codes for regional and remote areas have recently been updated.
Changes apply to a range of areas, including:
NSW: Cessnock, Kiama, Googong, Stanwell Tops, Murwillumbah, Wallacia, Mulgoa, and Wallalong. VIC: Whittlesea, Eynesbury, Tooradin and Hopetoun Park. QLD: Jimboomba, Yandina, Cooroibah, Glenview and Jacobs Well. SA: Mount Barker, Nairne, Hahndorf and Virginia.
If your proposed activity will take place in any of the above areas, or if you are unsure of your current Classification Code, please contact us on 1800 590 577 or at Festivals@arts.gov.au
All applications are assessed with the assistance of independent assessors.
Program documentation
Festivals Australia program documentation, including program guidelines and frequently asked questions, are available on the GrantConnect website at https://www.grants.gov.au.
After you register simply click on 'Grant Opportunity' to be directed to the appropriate page.
Festivals Australia video case studies
Our video case studies show the quality and variety of community projects which have been funded through the Festivals Australia program.
Program logos
The Festivals Australia logo is used to acknowledge Australian Government support for projects funded under Festivals Australia.
Contact
Festivals Australia
Phone: 1800 590 577
Email: Festivals@arts.gov.au
Who we've funded
National Summary of Festivals Australia Projects
- Festivals Australia February 2023 round 16—grant recipients
- Festivals Australia September 2022 round 15—grant recipients
- Festivals Australia February 2022 round 14—grant recipients
- Festivals Australia September 2021 round 13—grant recipients
- Festivals Australia February 2021 round 12—grant recipients
- Festivals Australia September 2020 round 11—grant recipients
- Festivals Australia February 2020 round 10—grant recipients
- Festivals Australia September 2019 round 9—grant recipients
- Festivals Australia February 2019 round 8—grant recipients
- Festivals Australia September 2018 round 7—grant recipients
- Festivals Australia February 2018 round 6—grant recipients
- Festivals Australia September 2017 round 5—grant recipients
- Festivals Australia March 2017 round 4—grant recipients
- Festivals Australia October 2016 round 3—grant recipients
- Festivals Australia March 2016 round 2—grant recipients
- Festivals Australia October 2015 round 1—grant recipients