Creative businesses, artists and cultural organisations can access grants from the Australia Council for the Arts, Create NSW, Creative Victoria, Screen Australia and state arts bodies. Programs support new works, touring, international creative export and community cultural engagement across all creative disciplines.
In Australian Capital Territory, the australian capital territory government funds business and innovation through a focused suite of programs covering arts, sustainability, innovation and sme support.
Open programs
9 totalArts 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.
Funding for artists, designers, arts and cultural organisations and creative businesses in Canberra to develop and implement design projects that demonstrate excellence and support Canberra's ambition to become a UNESCO City of Design. Projects can be presented as part of the 2026 Craft + Design Canberra Festival (5-15 November 2026) or contribute to Canberra's reputation 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).
Funding for self-determined arts and cultural activities led by and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and communities in the ACT. Supports creating arts and cultural work, presenting or performing, professional development, community arts development, marketing, and arts-based festivals across various artforms including dance, music, theatre, visual arts, literature, digital media, and screen.
An annual award recognizing excellence in contemporary literary works including fiction, non-fiction, and poetry by ACT-based authors. The award provides $10,000 for the winner, $2,000 for highly commended books, and $1,000 for each shortlisted book, supporting the development of ACT writers and promoting a positive writing culture.
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, theatre, music, dance, and literature.
Project grants supporting arts activities and initiatives for local artists and groups in the ACT. This funding supports a wide range of arts and cultural projects to sustain local artists and creatives.
Funding to support arts activities and creative projects across multiple artforms including dance, theatre, music, visual arts, literature, screen, and digital games. Grants support artist skill development, creative production, project development, and presentation of new works.
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 the wider community. The program includes accommodation, flights, meals, an artist fee, and project costs, with a reciprocal exchange hosting a Māori artist in Canberra.
Grant information is sourced from official government websites and updated regularly. Always verify current eligibility and deadlines before applying.