The Australian Capital Territory government funds business and innovation through a focused suite of programs covering arts, sustainability, innovation and SME support. ACT Arts funds creative practitioners and cultural organisations, while the ACT Government provides business development grants and innovation incentives. The ACT's proximity to the federal government means Commonwealth programs are highly accessible to local businesses, supplementing a relatively compact state grant pool.
- ACT Arts funds a range of creative practice, cultural organisations and community arts programs
- The ACT Government provides business development grants and innovation incentives for local SMEs
- Canberra's proximity to federal agencies makes Commonwealth programs especially accessible to ACT businesses
Featured Programs
Highest value open grantsThis 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.
A funding program supporting placemaking projects in Canberra's City Centre and Braddon through various categories including art, events, marketing, place, and space initiatives. The program aims to create lively, engaging spaces that strengthen community connection to public spaces and encourage visitation through creative and design-led approaches.
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.
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).
ICON grants offer matched funding to early-stage entrepreneurs and start-ups to kick-start their business journey. The program provides funding between $10,000 and $30,000 to support business change and growth initiatives.
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All Open Programs
20 programsGrant information is sourced from official government websites and updated regularly. Program details, eligibility and closing dates change — always verify with the official source before applying.