Regional and remote festivals set to benefit from the latest round of funding.

Jessica Mauboy, a First Nations woman sings into microphone on stage.
Image credit: The Queensland Music Festival, Jessica Mauboy performing at Yarrabah, image by Mitch Lowe Photography.

Nineteen grant recipients will share in over $700,000 thanks to the Festivals Australia program.

The program supports individual art projects at regional or remote festivals and significant one-off community celebrations.

It provides regional and remote communities with access to diverse, engaging and innovative experiences that encourage participation in the arts. In doing so, it fosters partnerships and encourages collaboration across the arts sector to benefit local communities.

Activities can include, but are not limited to, a performance, workshop, installation, parade or exhibition.

Recipients of the latest round include:

  • Young Fab and Engaged!, NT—Daminmin Festival 2025 engages the next generation, bringing in J-Milla, Yung Milla and Kootsie Don to share their stories and music with the top-end community. In the lead up to the festival artists will come together and take part in workshops at the local Taminmin High School to celebrate Wulna Country, connection and community.
  • Castlemaine Fringe, VIC—A free Street Party Spectacular to open the 16-day Castlemaine Fringe Festival. The streets and laneways surrounding the Castlemaine Town Hall will be transformed with performance stages and art projections. Featuring live music, dance performances, roving street theatre, live art installations, community choirs and marching bands.
  • Crib Road, TAS—The heart of The Unconformity Festival—a free gathering place that distils the festival onto the main street of Queenstown. Crib Road pays homage to 'crib rooms', another name for a miner's break room. Audiences will meet for celebration and invigoration, encountering live music, First Nations cultural practice, experimental art and curated food. Crib Road contributes to audience understanding of Queenstown through the exploration of local industries, environment and the people.

A full list of recipients can be found on the Festivals Australia webpage.

Each year the Government provides $1.4 million through Festivals Australia over two funding rounds. This support delivers opportunities for artists and arts workers in regional and remote Australia, which has significant flow-on benefits for cultural tourism and economic growth.