Festival projects come to life across the country

The Albanese Labor Government is backing in festivals across the country – with $1.4 million in funding through the Festivals Australia program.

The first round of funding will see eighteen festival projects across the country receiving a share of close to $700,000 in funding – showcasing a range of music, theatre and dance activities to audiences across regional Australia.

The program delivers the funding over two rounds each year, giving people in regional and remote Australia the opportunity to experience arts and culture locally.

The program recognises the key role festivals play in connecting communities and promoting local talent to tell Australian stories – a key focus of Revive, Australia’s new National Cultural Policy.

Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, said the funding would support Australian festivals’ ability to bring people together and amplify local artists.

“Festivals – at their best – are about building community, sharing stories and creating memories. 

“They put artists on a bigger stage, with a brighter spotlight. 

“This program helps support that right across Australia, making sure these opportunities aren’t just for people in capital cities.”

Amongst the recipients of this round are:

• NT Writers Festival - Stories Bring Us Together is a night-time storytelling gala that embraces a broad range of storytelling forms, including music, dance and multimedia experiences. Presentations will range from spoken word, to readings of short stories, to performances of traditional Tiwi songs by the Ngarukuwala Women's Group.
• Junction Arts Festival - Whale Trail (working title) is a community-engaged project featuring storytelling, dance and soundscapes. Three marine creatures will be crafted by participants from Tasmania’s east coast in collaboration with coastal Tasmanian artists and Terrapin Puppet Theatre to create a multi-artform spectacular at the Junction Arts Festival.
• Mackay Film Festival for Youth - The Pioneer Valley Acting and Screen Production Weekend Community Workshop will invite participants to build digital story-telling skills including scriptwriting, acting, producing, directing, editing, and post-production. The productions will be shown at the Pinnacle Playhouse Red Carpet Community Screening Event at the Mackay Film Festival for Youth.

Applications to the Festivals Australia program are assessed on specific criteria that consider quality, accessibility, partnership opportunities, and the value for money of the project.

A full list of recipients can be found at Festivals Australia grant recipients—Round 17 | Office for the Arts.