FESTIVALS AUSTRALIA BACKS OUR REGIONS
Over $700,000 in funding will support 18 projects in regional and remote communities across the nation through Round 20 of the Australian Government’s Festivals Australia program.
A diverse range of vibrant festival projects are being supported from community arts to music, literature, visual arts, circus, theatre and beyond.
The ongoing program supports regional artists, arts workers, and organisations to showcase projects of importance to their communities.
Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, said the program supported local favourites in all corners of the country.
“I’ve been to my share of regional festivals. They’re woven into the fabric of communities and are the talk of the town.
“They’re an opportunity for up-and-coming artists to put their name in lights and they provide a platform for Australia’s international artists to perform to regional and remote audiences across the country.
“Our support for festivals drives local economies by fostering cultural tourism and bringing visitors into our regions.”
Recipients of round 20 include:
Ballarat International Foto Biennale 2025 – Victoria: Life Force is a public art project celebrating the Bogong Moth as a symbol of sustenance, survival, and interconnectedness. Led by Natimuk artist, Dave Jones and Wadawurrung artist, Dr. Deanne Gilson, the large-scale illuminated installation, on the facade of the National Centre for Photography, will draw on Wadawurrung ancestral knowledge merging contemporary and First Nations storytelling to highlight the ecological and spiritual significance of the Bogong Moth.
Clarence Arts and Events - Tasmania: The Clarence Jazz Festival 30th Anniversary Composer’s Collective Project will mark the 30th anniversary of the Clarence Jazz Festival in Tasmania. 20 of the state’s finest established and emerging jazz and contemporary music composers will create work reflecting on the festival’s history, community significance and its ongoing legacy.
National Young Writers Festival – New South Wales: Younger Young Writers is an outreach program giving the next generation of regional writers the opportunity to participate in inspirational workshops run by professionals. Taking place in the lead up to the annual National Young Writers Festival, the project provides pathways for young people to develop a deeper interest in the literary world and gain exposure to the arts through intergenerational knowledge sharing.
Festivals Australia delivers two open competitive rounds each year with applications for Round 21 due to open in September 2025 for projects taking place from 1 February 2026.
A full list of Round 20 recipients can be found here.