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Matched Funding for Organisations – Beginner supports arts and cultural organisations to build and embed private sector fundraising skills, knowledge and confidence over time.

It is designed for small to medium organisations at an early stage of fundraising, who are ready to move from informal fundraising activity to a more structured and sustainable approach.  

This opportunity provides matched funding over two years, alongside structured capability development support to help organisations build and embed fundraising practice across the whole organisation. Matched funding is provided on a dollar-for-dollar basis for eligible private sector income raised, up to $25,000 per year for two years. 

Matched funding is used as a catalyst for change, helping organisations at an early stage of their fundraising development to move from ad hoc fundraising activity to planned, consistent and sustainable fundraising practice. 

The fund aims to help organisations: 

• build core fundraising systems, skills and processes
• develop and test repeatable fundraising approaches
• expand and deepen supporter relationships
• continue to grow private sector income. 

This opportunity is delivered over two years with an integrated suite of capability development activities, alongside matched funding. 

This supports organisations to develop, apply and embed fundraising practice across a two-year period, focusing on:

• planning and alignment – developing fundraising goals, campaigns, systems and internal readiness
• fundraising delivery – implementing fundraising activity, engaging supporters and generating private sector income
• consolidation and embedding – strengthening supporter stewardship, retention and organisational practice so fundraising can continue beyond the campaign.

Across this two-year framework: 

• organisations build and apply fundraising capability in real time
• capability development supports each stage of the process
• fundraising is embedded across the organisation, including leadership and/or directors/Board
• delivery and learning happen together, rather than as separate activities.

Participation requires: 

• commitment over the full two-year period
• active involvement from leadership and/or directors/Board
• integration of fundraising across the organisation.

Matched Funding for Artists and Artist Groups – Intermediate supports artists to build on existing private sector fundraising experience and strengthen their practice over time.

It is designed for artists and artist groups who have some private sector fundraising experience and are ready to develop more consistent and strategic approaches to private sector support. 

This opportunity provides matched funding alongside fundraising capability development through group training, peer-to peer learning and one on one support and advice. Matched funding is provided on a dollar-for-dollar basis for eligible private sector income raised, up to $10,000.  

The aims of the fund are for artists and artist groups to move beyond one-off or informal fundraising activity and develop consistent, strategic approaches to generating private sector support. 

Through participation, artists and artist groups will: 

• build on existing private sector fundraising experience
• refine how they plan and deliver fundraising activity
• strengthen relationships with supporters
• increase confidence and independence as fundraisers.

For the purposes of this application, an artist group is defined as two or more individuals who work together but do not form a legally constituted organisation. This can include co-collaborators and collectives. 

Matched Funding for Artists and Artist Groups – Intermediate is delivered through a structured fundraising capability development approach alongside matched funding. 

Matched Funding for Organisations – Advanced supports small to medium arts and cultural organisations to lead and evolve sophisticated private sector fundraising practice and embed it for long-term sustainability within their organisation.

This opportunity provides matched funding over two years, alongside a structured approach to support ambitious fundraising innovation and future-proofing. Matched funding is provided on a dollar-for-dollar basis for eligible private sector income raised, up to $50,000 per year, for two years. 

Matched funding is used as a catalyst to help Advanced organisations pursue transformational private sector fundraising opportunities.  

The fund aims to help organisations: 

• deliver ambitious, multi-year fundraising strategies aligned with organisational priorities
• strengthen and extend established fundraising systems and practice
• grow and develop significant private sector income, including new or higher value private income streams
• deepen and strategically manage complex supporter relationships
• pursue transformational fundraising opportunities that would not be achievable without this support. 

This opportunity is delivered over two years with an integrated suite of capability development activities, alongside matched funding. 

This supports organisations to strengthen, apply and stretch advanced fundraising practice across a two-year period, focusing on:

• planning and alignment – refining or extending fundraising strategy in line with organisational priorities, growth opportunities and long-term sustainability
• fundraising delivery – delivering multi-stream or multi-year fundraising activity, strengthening supporter engagement and growing private sector income
• consolidation and embedding – integrating fundraising leadership, governance and decision-making across the organisation to scale private sector growth, diversify income and sustain advanced fundraising performance over time.

Across this two-year framework: 

• organisations are expected to build on existing capability and apply it strategically
• fundraising is expected to be established and embedded, with this opportunity supporting organisations to extend, strengthen and scale this practice across the organisation, including directors/Board, leadership and staff engagement
• delivery and capability development occur concurrently, rather than as separate activities. 

Participation requires: 

• commitment over the full two-year period
• active director/Board and leadership ownership of fundraising, including clear involvement and accountability
• a whole-of-organisation approach to fundraising delivery and retention of skills.

Writers’ festivals play a vital role in strengthening Australia’s literary community. They provide space for ideas, dialogue and discovery, while promoting Australian writers to a wide range of readers. This investment will support writers’ festivals in regional areas and capital cities to connect authors with readers and peers.  

The fund prioritises authors travelling from or to regional locations, First Nations authors, children’s authors and illustrators, and early to mid-career writers, while encouraging a broad mix of voices and festivals.  

Investments of $10,000 to $30,000 are available to support festivals to cover travel, accommodation, appearance fees and per diems.

Four Year Investment for Organisations provides multi-year investment for arts and cultural organisations. This enables organisations to plan with longer-term certainty and increase their capacity to leverage other investment, support and collaborations.

The application process for Four Year Investment requires a pre-application to determine an organisation’s eligibility to apply to the category. If your organisation meets the criteria, your pre-application will be confirmed, and you will be eligible to make an application.

Your organisation must demonstrate a high degree of artistic achievement, along with a compelling four year vision for the 2029–32 period. To be competitive, your organisation will also need to show that it is well governed, effectively managed, and generates diverse income streams.

It is the intention of this category to invest in organisations that are part of the small to medium arts and cultural sector. Large, well-resourced organisations or institutions seeking investment in multi-year arts programs may not be a priority for investment in this category.

Investment for approved organisations will support programs of activity from 1 January 2029 to 31 December 2032.

The minimum eligible grant request for this category is $100,000 per year, over the four year investment period ($400,000 in total). The maximum eligible grant request is $550,000 per year over the four year investment period ($2,200,000 in total). Creative Australia will advise what level of investment your organisation may apply for.

Nominations are open for the 2027 First Nations Arts and Culture Business Innovation Award. Valued at $25,000 this Award, for one business, recognises innovation and excellence in entrepreneurship among Australian First Nations small to medium arts and culture businesses or community organisations (including Art Centres) nationwide.  

This category is only open to self-nominations from First Nations owned and led small to medium arts and cultural businesses that demonstrate outstanding leadership, innovation and cultural integrity in their business practices.  The recipient will be presented with the Award at the First Nations Arts and Culture Awards ceremony to be held on Thursday 27 May 2027. 

The Award categories are: 

• The prestigious Red Ochre Award for Lifetime Achievement in Artistic Excellence, to recognise the outstanding contribution of senior First Nations artists to their arts practice. Two recipients of the award will receive $60,000 each.
• The prestigious Red Ochre Award for Lifetime Achievement in Cultural Advocacy and Leadership, to recognise the outstanding contribution of senior First Nations arts leaders or arts and cultural workers. Two recipients of the award will receive $60,000 each.
• The Established Artist of the Year Award, to recognise outstanding achievement in artistic practice of established Australian First Nations artists. The recipient of this award will receive $25,000.
• The Youth Award for Achievement in the Arts, to recognise the achievement of Australian First Nations artists or arts workers between the age of 18 and 35. The recipient of this award will receive $25,000.
• The First Nations Arts and Culture Business Innovation Award, to recognise innovation and excellence in entrepreneurship among Australian First Nations small to medium arts and culture businesses and community organisations (including Art Centres) nationwide. The recipient of this award will receive $25,000.
• The First Nations Arts Fellowships, supporting the creation of major works by two artists.

Playing Australia Project Investment supports organisations to undertake performing arts tours to reach regional and remote communities across Australia.

The program supports costs associated with touring to regional and remote areas of Australia. There is no limit on the amount that can be requested. Touring activity must be confirmed prior to seeking investment through this category.

Who can apply

Legally constituted organisations only may apply.

What you can apply for

You may apply for any costs necessary for the completion of a successful regional tour with a confirmed itinerary.

Creative Australia acknowledges that flexibility is required when touring and supports a variety of touring models. Applicants may seek investment for alternative touring models that:

• propose activity such as residency models with live performance outcomes or concept touring
• present a tour that includes significant and targeted community engagement
• present an annual touring program for single or multiple works
• propose a digital tour.

You can apply for support towards:

• a tour that has a confirmed itinerary
• payment of fees and salaries for artists and touring party
• costs associated with remounting or rehearsing a work
• production costs associated with touring the work or delivering the activity
• touring costs including freight, transport, accommodation and travel allowances
• tour co-ordination
• costs associated with reducing the environmental impact of your tour
• costs associated with supporting the wellbeing of the touring company.

2026 Closing Dates

• Tuesday 3 March 2026
• Tuesday 2 June 2026
• Tuesday 13 October 2026

Playing Australia Project Investment supports organisations to undertake performing arts tours to reach regional and remote communities across Australia.

The program supports costs associated with touring to regional and remote areas of Australia. There is no limit on the amount that can be requested. Touring activity must be confirmed prior to seeking investment through this category.

Who can apply

Legally constituted organisations only may apply.

What you can apply for

You may apply for any costs necessary for the completion of a successful regional tour with a confirmed itinerary.

Creative Australia acknowledges that flexibility is required when touring and supports a variety of touring models. Applicants may seek investment for alternative touring models that:

• propose activity such as residency models with live performance outcomes or concept touring
• present a tour that includes significant and targeted community engagement
• present an annual touring program for single or multiple works
• propose a digital tour.

You can apply for support towards:

• a tour that has a confirmed itinerary
• payment of fees and salaries for artists and touring party
• costs associated with remounting or rehearsing a work
• production costs associated with touring the work or delivering the activity
• touring costs including freight, transport, accommodation and travel allowances
• tour co-ordination
• costs associated with reducing the environmental impact of your tour
• costs associated with supporting the wellbeing of the touring company.

2026 Closing Dates

• Tuesday 3 March 2026
• Tuesday 2 June 2026
• Tuesday 13 October 2026

The Contemporary Music Touring Program (CMTP) supports national touring activity undertaken by Australian musicians performing original Australian contemporary music.

The tour must comprise of performances in at least three venues or locations outside of the performer’s hometown. Tours that include regional and remote destinations, or which assist performers residing in regional and remote areas to tour, are a priority for funding.

Grants are available from $5,000 to $50,000, depending on the number of tour venues or locations in regional or remote areas.

Who can apply

You may submit a maximum of two applications to each round of CMTP.

You may apply as an individual, on behalf of a group, or as an organisation, to tour live music performances within Australia.

Touring musicians must be performing original Australian contemporary music. Funding can be provided to performers, managers, agents, and music networks on behalf of professionals working in the Australian music industry. Applications must contain one tour only.

The Contemporary Music Touring Program (CMTP) supports national touring activity undertaken by Australian musicians performing original Australian contemporary music.

The tour must comprise of performances in at least three venues or locations outside of the performer’s hometown. Tours that include regional and remote destinations, or which assist performers residing in regional and remote areas to tour, are a priority for funding.

Grants are available from $5,000 to $50,000, depending on the number of tour venues or locations in regional or remote areas.

Who can apply

You may submit a maximum of two applications to each round of CMTP.

You may apply as an individual, on behalf of a group, or as an organisation, to tour live music performances within Australia.

Touring musicians must be performing original Australian contemporary music. Funding can be provided to performers, managers, agents, and music networks on behalf of professionals working in the Australian music industry. Applications must contain one tour only.