Arts Grants in Australian Capital Territory — 2026

Arts Activities Funding provides support for Canberra artists, groups and organisations to undertake arts activities including creating new work, professional or skills development, mentoring, residencies, and community arts and cultural development and engagement. Activities can span dance, digital games, literature, music, new media, screen, theatre, visual arts, and arts-based festivals.

Project grants supporting arts activities in the ACT. This funding supports local artists and groups to undertake arts projects and cultural initiatives.

This program supports the arts sector in Canberra to create, develop and promote the arts for the benefit of artists and their work, and for the ACT community to have strong access to and engagement in the arts. It provides multi-year funding to arts centres, leading arts organisations, and emerging arts organisations across various artforms including visual arts, music, theatre, dance, and literature.

A funding program supporting placemaking projects in Canberra's City Centre and Braddon through art, event, marketing, place, and space grants. Projects must enhance public spaces, foster community engagement, and create engaging cultural and social experiences. Initiatives are delivered between July 2026 and June 2027.

Funding for artists, designers, arts and cultural organisations and creative businesses based in Canberra to develop and implement projects that demonstrate excellence in design and support Canberra's ambition to be a UNESCO City of Design. Projects should enable participation in the 2026 Craft + Design Canberra Festival (5-15 November 2026) or strongly demonstrate contribution to Canberra as a global city of design.

This program supports leading ACT arts organisations that engage with the local community to provide programs, services, expertise and cultural infrastructure. It funds the delivery of activities that contribute to ACT Government priorities and the arts strategies outlined in Canberra: Australia's Arts Capital. The program has three funding streams: Arts Centre Investment (up to 5 years), Arts Organisation Investment (up to 4 years), and Emerging Arts Organisation Investment (2+2 years up to $50,000 per year).

A competitive grant program supporting artists and arts organizations across multiple disciplines including dance, theatre, music, visual arts, literature, screen, and digital games. Funding ranges from $5,000 to $50,000 to support the creation, development, and presentation of new artistic works and professional development in the arts.

Supports Canberra artists, groups and organisations to undertake arts activities including creating new work, professional development, mentoring, residencies, and community arts engagement. Activities can span multiple artforms including dance, digital games, literature, music, screen, theatre, visual arts, and arts-based festivals.

The ACT Government provides funding for self-determined arts and cultural activities led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and communities. Eligible activities include creating and presenting arts and cultural work, professional development, community arts development, and marketing of arts activities across various artforms including dance, music, theatre, visual arts, literature, digital media, and screen arts.

A four-week artist residency program that provides an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander artist the opportunity to spend time in Wellington, Aotearoa (New Zealand), working in a new environment and engaging with Māori culture, the Wellington arts sector and wider community. The program includes accommodation, travel, meals, an artist fee, and project costs, with a reciprocal exchange hosting a Māori artist in Canberra.