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What is Arts Funding?

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Arts funding is financial assistance offered by a range of organisations and businesses to help support creative and cultural projects in Australia. It allows artists to start, sustain, or grow their work, whether that’s in visual arts, performance, writing, music, screen production, or community-based initiatives. It may be offered as a grant, scholarship, fellowship, commission, or investment in a specific project.

 

This funding can come from:

•  Government departments (local, state, federal)

•  Philanthropic and charitable foundations

•  Cultural and arts organisations

•  Community groups and initiatives

•  Universities or educational bodies

•  Private donors and corporate sponsors

 

 

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What Do Arts Grants Fund?

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Grant programs vary widely, but they generally support creative work that contributes to the arts and cultural life of the community.

 

Examples of supported projects include:

•  Creating new work

•  Exhibitions, shows, and performances

•  Public art such as murals or sculptures

•  Festivals or cultural events

•  Creative education including workshops, classes, or mentoring

•  Preserving First Nation and cultural heritage

•  Publishing or writing projects, including books or zines

•  Film and digital media development or production

•  Live music, dance, or theatre performances

•  Community-led art projects with a social focus

•  Upgrading or building art spaces, studios, or venues

•  Research and experimentation with new methods or ideas

•  Collaborating with international artists or touring abroad

•  Supporting early-career artists or experimental work

•  Improving access for diverse or marginalised communities

•  Residencies and fellowships that support professional development

•  Research & development

 

 

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Who Can Apply for Arts Grants?

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Depending on the funder, eligibility may differ. However, funding is often open to:

 

•  Independent artists and creatives

•  Arts workers and producers

•  Artist collectives or small organisations

•  Emerging or early-career practitioners

•  First Nations artists and community groups

•  Educational or cultural institutions

•  Not-for-profit and community-led organisations

•  Galleries, museums, or arts festivals

•  Creative businesses or startups

 

 

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Where to Look for Arts Grants

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There are many ways to discover current opportunities, including:

 

• ArtSupport: Australian Arts Opportunities!

•  Government websites (federal, state, and local)

•  Arts foundations that offer philanthropic support

•  Industry organisations

•  Newsletters and email lists with funding updates

•  Social media accounts of funders and peak bodies

•  Local arts networks or forums, both online and in-person

 

 

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Tips for a Successful Grant Application!

Looking for tips and tricks to write grant & funding applications? 

Read our article here: https://www.artsupport.com.au/blog/grant-writing

 

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National Funding Bodies

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National arts funding bodies operate across all of Australia and provide support for artists, arts workers, organisations, and cultural initiatives regardless of state or territory. These institutions include federal government departments, peak bodies, and national-level agencies that offer grants, fellowships, residencies, and sector development programs across a wide range of art forms.

They often support major projects, touring, screen production, music creation, First Nations arts, publishing, research, and professional development. Most opportunities are competitive and have specific guidelines and deadlines.

 

Creative Australia

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Australia’s principal arts investment and advisory body. Offers grants, fellowships, and First Nations programs across all art forms including visual arts, literature, music, theatre, dance, community arts, and interdisciplinary practice.
creative.gov.au

 

Australian Government – Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts

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Home to major federal arts initiatives including:

• Regional Arts Fund (delivered through state bodies)

• Live Music Australia

• Public and Indigenous Art Initiatives

• Festivals Australia

infrastructure.gov.au

 

Screen Australia

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Provides development, production, and marketing funding for film, TV, online content, documentaries, and games. Also supports First Nations screen practitioners and diverse storytellers.
screenaustralia.gov.au

 

APRA AMCOS

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Offers funding and programs for songwriters, composers, and music creators, including SongHubs, Live Music Programming, and First Nations initiatives.
apraamcos.com.au

 

The Copyright Agency – Cultural Fund

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Supports the creation, publication, and promotion of Australian content across literature, visual arts, and education. Offers grants to individuals and organisations.
copyright.com.au/culturalfund

 

National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA)

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Administers grants such as the Australian Artists’ Grant and Artist Benevolent Fund. Advocates nationally for artists’ rights and sector sustainability.
visualarts.net.au

 

National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA)

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Occasionally offers creative residencies, archival access, and collaboration opportunities for artists, filmmakers, and sound practitioners.
nfsa.gov.au

 

National Library of Australia – Fellowships and Scholarships

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Supports researchers, artists, and creatives to access the Library’s collection through annual fellowships and residency programs.
nla.gov.au

 

Live Performance Australia

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Advocates for live performance workers. While not a direct funder, LPA plays a vital role in lobbying for industry relief and funding support.
liveperformance.com.au

 

The Australia Council for Educational Research (ACER) – Arts and Education

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Occasionally funds research or projects at the intersection of creative learning, arts education, and educational practice.
acer.org

 

 

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State, Territory & Regional Funding Bodies

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Each state and territory in Australia has its own government departments and regional arts organisations that provide localised support for artists and arts organisations. These bodies offer grants and programs tailored to their state’s cultural priorities, funding cycles, and communities.

In addition, regional arts organisations deliver the Regional Arts Fund (RAF) on behalf of the federal government, providing vital funding for creative projects in rural, regional, and remote areas. These localised bodies often offer more targeted support for community-based initiatives, youth arts, festivals, screen production, infrastructure upgrades, and collaborations within their specific regions.

You’ll also find screen agencies in most states that provide financial support to filmmakers, digital content creators, game developers, and producers through grants, rebates, and industry support programs.

 

Victoria

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• Creative Victoria
  Grants and programs for artists, organisations, festivals, and businesses across all creative industries.
  creative.vic.gov.au

• Regional Arts Victoria (RAV)
  Supports regional artists and communities through grants, touring programs, residencies, and youth arts. Administers the Regional Arts Fund in VIC.
  rav.net.au

• Screen Victoria 
  Supports Victorian screen practitioners across games, film, TV, and digital media.
  vicscreen.vic.gov.au

 

 

New South Wales

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• Create NSW
  Grants and development opportunities for artists, arts organisations, and screen professionals.
  create.nsw.gov.au

• Regional Arts NSW
  Delivers the Regional Arts Fund, supports regionally based artists and organisations with funding, residencies, and strategic programs.
  regionalartsnsw.com.au

• Arts North West, Arts OutWest, South West Arts
  Provide localised project support, funding access, and arts-led development across their regions.
  artsnw.com.au | artsoutwest.org.au | southwestarts.com.au

• Screen NSW (part of Create NSW)
  Supports screen production and development across film, TV, and digital content.
  screen.nsw.gov.au

 

 

Queensland

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• Arts Queensland
  Funds individual projects, artist career development, and creative business growth.
  arts.qld.gov.au

• Flying Arts Alliance
  Offers visual arts support, professional development, and regional access programs.
  flyingarts.org.au

• Screen Queensland
  Provides screen production, game development, and First Nations storytelling support.
  screenqueensland.com.au

 

 

South Australia

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• Create South Australia
  Supports individual artists, collectives, and organisations through grants, fellowships, and strategic initiatives.
  create.sa.gov.au

• Country Arts SA
  Administers the Regional Arts Fund, supports artist residencies, touring, and community projects across regional SA.
  countryarts.org.au

• South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC)
  Supports screen production and talent development in SA.
  safilm.com.au

• Independent Arts Foundation (IAF)
  Small grants and awards to support SA artists across all art forms.
  iafoundation.org.au

 

 

Western Australia

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• Culture and the Arts WA (via the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries)
  Offers arts project funding, organisational support, and sector development.
  dlgsc.wa.gov.au

• Regional Arts WA
  Delivers the Regional Arts Fund and provides community-driven grants, youth programs, and First Nations support.
  regionalartswa.org.au

• Screenwest
  WA’s screen funding body for development, production, diversity, and Indigenous storytelling.
  screenwest.com.au

 

 

Tasmania

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• Arts Tasmania
  Grants, loans, residencies, and artist-led initiatives to support the state’s creative sector.
  arts.tas.gov.au

• RANT Arts
  Regional Tasmania that develops, supports and empowers creative communities.
  rantarts.com

• Screen Tasmania
  Offers project, development, and production support for screen professionals.
  screen.tas.gov.au

 

 

Australian Capital Territory

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• artsACT
  Supports artists and organisations with grants for arts practice, festivals, and community arts.
  arts.act.gov.au

• Screen Canberra
  Funding and incentives for screen development and production in the ACT.
  screencanberra.com.au

 

Northern Territory

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• Arts NT
  Grants, fellowships, and community support with a strong emphasis on First Nations cultural practice.
  nt.gov.au

• Screen Territory
  Funds screen development, production, and workforce development.
  screenterritory.nt.gov.au

• Red Hot Arts & Desert Festival (Central Australia)
  Support for independent and community arts projects, residencies, and events in Central Australia.
  redhotarts.com.au

 

 

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Local Government 

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Local councils across Australia play a vital role in supporting arts and culture at the community level. While offerings vary, many councils provide arts grants, community project funding, venue access, public art commissions, and support for festivals and cultural programs.

 

What Local Councils May Fund

• Community art projects and workshops

• Artist residencies or commissions (e.g. murals, sculptures, performances)

• Local festivals and cultural events

• Youth, multicultural, or First Nations creative programs

• Public art initiatives

• Creative development grants for individuals or groups

• Arts infrastructure and venue support

• Artist-in-schools or library projects

 

Examples of Council Arts Programs

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City of Melbourne
Supports individual artists, collectives, and organisations through its annual Arts Grants Program, public art commissions, and triennial funding.
melbourne.vic.gov.au

City of Sydney
Offers grants for creative projects, live music, public art, and capacity-building through its Cultural and Creative Grants & Sponsorships.
cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

City of Brisbane
Supports community arts and festivals through the Lord Mayor’s Creative and Cultural Grants, including public art and temporary installations.
brisbane.qld.gov.au

City of Perth
Offers community arts grants, venue support, and public art opportunities through its Arts and Cultural Sponsorship Program.
perth.wa.gov.au

City of Adelaide
Provides funding for festivals, exhibitions, and new commissions through its Arts and Cultural Grants Program.
cityofadelaide.com.au

City of Hobart
Supports creative activities and residencies, including art-in-public-space initiatives and community-led cultural projects.
hobartcity.com.au

Canberra (ACT Government & City Services)
Although not structured as a council, ACT offers arts funding through artsACT, including public art and community programs.
arts.act.gov.au

 

How to Find Local Council Grants

• Visit your local council’s website and search for “arts grants,” “community funding,” or “creative initiatives”

• Subscribe to council newsletters and local arts boards

• Attend local arts networking events or cultural forums

• Contact the council’s Arts & Culture team directly for guidance

Tip: Grant rounds often open once or twice a year so make sure you check the timing and plan ahead!

 

 

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Philanthropic Foundations & Trusts

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Philanthropic organisations and charitable foundations play a significant role in supporting Australia’s arts and cultural sector. Unlike government grants, philanthropic funding is often guided by a foundation’s mission or values — such as community access, social impact, innovation, education, or the preservation of cultural heritage.

These funds may support individual artists, organisations, festivals, touring work, major projects, or even sector-wide capacity building. Some foundations focus specifically on the arts, while others support the arts as part of a broader commitment to social or cultural wellbeing.

Philanthropic funding may be distributed through open grant rounds, nomination-based awards, or long-term partnerships. Many foundations also collaborate with arts organisations to deliver targeted programs.

Artists and organisations seeking philanthropic support should research each foundation’s priorities and past recipients, and may consider seeking an introduction or submitting an expression of interest before applying formally.

 

• The Ian Potter Foundation – ianpotter.org.au
• The Myer Foundation & Sidney Myer Fund – myerfoundation.org.au

• Philanthropy Australia – philanthropy.org.au

• Tim Fairfax Family Foundation – tfff.org.au

• Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation – lmcf.org.au

• Blackbird Foundation – blackbird.foundation

• William Fletcher Foundation – williamfletcherfoundation.org.au

• Gordon Darling Foundation – gordondarlingfoundation.org.au

• Independent Arts Foundation (SA) – iafoundation.org.au