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

How it works

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
There are two funding rounds each year which generally open in February and September each year.
Funding available
The Australian Government provides approximately $1.2 million each financial year through this program.

Program Information

funding tabs

About The Program
Funding application period:  September 21, 2020 09:00 AEST to October 16, 2020 17:00 AEDT

The above funding period is for projects commencing from 1 February 2021.

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

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

Please note: Festivals Australia will only fund a single project at a festival, not a range of unrelated activities across a festival program.

All applications are assessed with the assistance of independent assessors.

COVID-19 Update

The Department acknowledges the continuing impacts of COVID-19 on all of its programs including the Festivals Australia program. We wish to assure our stakeholders that wherever possible, the Office for the Arts will continue to provide administrative support for your Festivals Australia funded activity and offer flexibility around your proposals. If you have any queries or concerns please contact the Program Officer at your earliest convenience.

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.

Watch the videos

Program logos

The Festivals Australia logo is used to acknowledge Australian Government support for projects funded under Festivals Australia.

Program documentation

Festivals Australia program documentation, including program guidelines and frequently asked questions, are available on the GrantConnect website at www.grants.gov.au.

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

Contact

The Program Officer
Festivals Australia
Office for the Arts
Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications
GPO Box 2154
Canberra ACT 2601
Phone: 1800 590 577
Email: Festivals@arts.gov.au

Funding applications

Started September 21, 2020 09:00 AEST
Ends October 16, 2020 17:00 AEDT
Days Remaining 18 of 25
Open

How to apply

  • Complete a work plan and a detailed project budget.
  • Provide confirmation of artist participation for each of the participating artists and evidence of community support for the project.
  • Make sure you complete the application: incomplete applications are not considered.
  • Keep it short: only the first 10 pages of an application’s support material are assessed.

Contact

Email: festivals [at] arts.gov.au (subject: Festivals%20Australia%20funding%20inquires)

Phone: 1800 590 577.