Regional Arts Australia has announced over $1 million in funding to support 44 new creative projects through the latest round of the Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund. This vital investment will see a total of $1,018,292.64 distributed across 39 unique locations, spanning regional centres, rural towns, and remote communities across Australia.
The latest round of the Regional Arts Fund once again highlights the powerful role the arts play in shaping thriving regional communities. From generating employment and building local skills to preserving cultural knowledge and strengthening community identity, these projects show how creative investment delivers meaningful social and economic outcomes across regional, rural, and remote Australia.
Australian Government Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, congratulated the recipients and acknowledged the vital role they play in shaping regional Australia’s arts landscape. “The government is making this investment because we believe that no matter where you live, the best of the Australian arts should be within reach,” he said.
Echoing this sentiment, Ros Abercrombie, Executive Director of Regional Arts Australia, praised the strength and diversity of the projects supported. “This round of the Regional Arts Fund captures the incredible diversity and strength of Australia’s regional arts sector,” she said.
“From remote communities to rural towns and regional centres, these projects are a testament to the creative ambition, cultural leadership, and deep community connection that thrive outside our cities. We’re proud to support initiatives that not only enrich local life but contribute to a national story that is inclusive, bold, and beautifully grounded in place,” said Abercrombie.
This round of the Regional Arts Fund Project Grants showcases the extraordinary breadth and depth of creative talent across Australia’s regions, from coastal towns to desert communities, from tropical north Queensland to the southern tips of Victoria and the wilds of Western Australia.
Geographically, the funding has been distributed across a wide spread of communities:
- 11 projects (25%), totalling $286,563.40, will take place in regional centres
- 19 projects (43%), totalling $413,205.79, are based in rural towns
- 14 projects (32%), totalling $318,523.45, will unfold in remote communities
This round of Regional Arts Fund recipients reflects a vibrant mix of artforms, cultural practices, and community priorities. From community-led festivals and cross-cultural collaborations to cutting-edge installations and youth engagement programs, the funded projects reflect the depth, diversity, and creative vitality of regional, rural, and remote Australia.
Professional development and artistic innovation also shine through – supporting everything from emerging playwrights in South Australia to experimental sound and projection artists in Northern Territory and Western Australia.
From grassroots organisations to solo artists, the diversity of recipients demonstrates the reach and relevance of the Regional Arts Fund in supporting both local expression and national conversations.
For more information about the Regional Arts Fund Project Grants Round 1 Recipients, visit: www.arts.gov.au for details. Round 2 of the Regional Arts Fund Project Grants opens in July 2025.
Image: Grace Ireland Meyers (Chorus), Charlotte Davies (Ophelia) & Maya Hassall (Chorus) in O, Ophelia by Amber Grossmann, A JUTE Theatre Company and Overall Arts Co-Production, Bulmba-ja Arts Centre, Cairns – photo by MODFilms & Photos – supported by a 2024 Regional Arts Fund Project Grant