Regional arts

The Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport (CITS) recognises regional arts as an essential part of its vision for a vibrant, connected and inclusive Western Australia. Regional WA is a spotlight community of Creative WA: A 10-Year Vision to grow and sustain our creative ecosystem.

Regional applicants are encouraged to apply to all funding programs offered by the department however there are a number of programs specifically for regional Western Australia.  

These programs are supported by the WA Government through the Regional Creative Industries Fund, administered by the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport and supported by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

New grant programs will be listed here as announced.   

Regional Arts Organisations Investment  

The department partners with Regional Arts WA to fund employment and operational support for regional arts organisations.

 

Sector capacity building

The department partners with:

  • AACHWA to deliver business development for Aboriginal Arts Centres and to support increasing Aboriginal training and employment pathways in the regional creative industries.  
  • CircuitWest to provide capacity building services to the State’s performing arts venues.
  • Art on the Move to service the regional visual arts sector by delivering baseline exhibition touring services, professional development, and training programs across Western Australia.
  • Art Gallery of Western Australia to tour artworks from the State Art Collection to galleries in regional Western Australia.
  • Regional Arts WA to increase capacity and leadership in young regional artists.

For the purposes of regional funding, regional WA is defined by the 9 regions.

An Aboriginal woman holding a microphone at a lake
Photo: Natalie Davey's recording as part of Sound FX, Tura's ongoing program in the Fitzroy Valley. Photo by Edify Media (October 2022)
A crowd at a music festival
Photo: Formidable Vegetable performing at Tigerville, 2023 Nannup Music Festival. Photo by Elliot Welsford — Isolated Photography (March 2023)
Performers on staging using puppets
Photo: Show Day, premiere season at the Albany Entertainment Centre. Photo by Nic Duncan (January 2023)
People in an art gallery
Photo: ‘The Alternative Archive’ opening event The exhibition showcases work by 31 contemporary artists from regional WA. Goldfields Arts Centre, Kalgoorlie. Photo by Mellen Burns (January 2023)
Page reviewed 27 August 2026