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

There are two funding rounds each year which generally open in February and September each year.

Funding available

The Australian Government provides approximately $1.3 million each financial year through this program.

    About the program

    Festivals Australia is open for applications from 20 February 2023 to 20 March 2023 for projects commencing from 1 July 2023.

    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 department 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.

    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 https://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
    Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications and the Arts
    GPO Box 2154
    Canberra ACT 2601
    Phone: 1800 590 577
    Email: Festivals@arts.gov.au

    • 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@arts.gov.au

    Phone: 1800 590 577.