Creative industries funding

The department distributes grants and funding to support vibrant and sustainable arts, culture and creative industry sectors in WA.

Online grants

Funding news

An exhibition space in an art gallery with paintings hanging on the walls

Regional galleries shine brighter with $314,000 upgrade boost

17 September 2025

Media release

A major investment by the WA Government will open up more arts experiences for Western Australians in regional communities.

Joan and the Giants performing in at the Astor Theatre in Perth supporting Belinda Carlisle, 2024. Photo by Isabelle Haubrich.

The show goes on for WA creatives

5 September 2025

Media release

The curtain has risen on a new wave of arts projects, musical performances and cultural experiences across Western Australia, thanks to a major funding boost from the WA Government.

Frederick Irwin Anglican School:students and adults enjoying the colourful murals

WA schools advancing reconciliation with local community projects

5 September 2025

Media release

Western Australian students will learn more about Aboriginal culture and history as part of the WA Government's Partnership Acceptance Learning Sharing (PALS) program

A woman sits in an art gallery looking through a book, with headphones on

WA art hubs set for funding boost

7 August 2025

Media release

New exhibitions, residencies and art workshops coming to Mandurah and Narrogin.

A group of young people stand behind a camera.

Art program funding to help boost wellbeing for young people

5 August 2025

Media release

Young people across Western Australia are set to benefit from a new round of creative programs aimed at supporting mental, social and emotional wellbeing, as well as strengthening community connections.

Adrian Dzvuke support act for Coldplay, performs on stage at Optus Stadium Perth Australia

🎶Funding is now open for WA musicians to take up career defining opportunities!

8 July 2025

Media release

The WA Government extended its initial 2018 commitment of $3 million for a Contemporary Music Fund in 2021 with an additional $3 million over 4 years through to 2025.

A close up an artist paint tray and brushes in a small bucket

Supporting the next generation of WA creatives

2 July 2025

Media release

Two new grant programs will soon open to support the next generation of Western Australian artists and arts workers, as part of the WA Government's plan to grow our creative industries

A Carine High School building with a mural by Noongar artist, Mariah Yarran.

Funding brings cultural understanding to students, teachers and school communities

24 January 2025

Media release

Aboriginal cultural understanding is coming to more classrooms across WA schools, with cultural initiatives receiving support through the WA Government’s Partnership Acceptance Learning Sharing (PALS) program.

Two performers embrace as part of a live performance

Arts funding ignites creative performances across WA’s regions

15 January 2025

Media release

WA’s regions are set to host a variety of exciting and unique performing arts experiences including performances of puppetry, dance, theatre, singing and more, through WA Government culture and the arts funding.

In a darkened space a performance artist is performing

Arts to thrive with $1.9 million in funding for cultural experiences

15 January 2025

Media release

Western Australians can look forward to plenty of exciting arts and cultural activities including various exhibitions, performances, theatre shows, educational workshops and much more through WA Government culture and the arts funding.

Attendees take part in a workshop led by Sensorium Theatre

WA leading the way in Creative Learning

22 November 2024

We know that investment in children and young people’s ability to think deeply, critically and creatively is essential to developing the skills necessary to thrive today.

PALS grants bring cultural understanding to the classroom

30 October 2024

Media release

Grants totalling $88,735 that are designed to bring understanding of Aboriginal culture to Western Australian classrooms have been awarded by the WA Government through the 2024 Term 3 funding round of the Partnership Acceptance Learning Sharing (PALS) program.

Toby King and the Utility Belt book cover illustration and author Sharon Giltrow

New Chapter for WA children’s book author Sharon Giltrow

24 October 2024

Media release

Western Australian children’s book author Sharon Giltrow is back with Toby King and the Utility Belt, the second book in her middle-grade series The Utility Belt.

A man and a boy posing a dance move in a desert environment. A group of people are watching in the background.

$600,000 to boost creativity and wellbeing for young people

24 June 2024

Media release

A new program to improve creativity and wellbeing for young people across Western Australia will be trialled after the State Government approved $600,000 in funding for 8 organisations to deliver culture and the arts projects with health benefits.

Waringarri Arts Community Nights and Wirnan Performances teach young people about their culture

Funding supports successful cultural and arts alliance in Kimberley

3 November 2023

More than $1 million in additional funding over 4 years has been approved for the successful Wirnan Cultural Engagement and Learning Project involving 6 art centres in the Kimberley.

Collaborative painting on Country, Ngurra Kutjuwarra (On Country, Together), Warlayirti Artists Aboriginal Corporation, Great Sandy Desert, Western Australia 2021. Photo by Lucinda White

Applications for Community Recovery Grants Program now open

20 October 2023

The Department of Local Government, Sport, and Cultural Industries is actively supporting the Community Recovery Grants Program, which is aimed at assisting communities affected by the events associated with ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie.

Arts Minister David Templeman and a woman take a selfie in a crowded room

Supporting a thriving arts and culture sector in WA

18 October 2023

With the aim of ensuring a thriving cultural and creative industry, the State Government is providing organisational funding to Western Australia's peak arts and culture body, the Chamber of Arts and Culture, over the next 2 years.

2 students using magnifying glasses at the beach with the words, 'Creativity for Schools Program'

Half a million dollars to encourage creativity in our schools

2 October 2023

Media release

Using creativity to enhance the critical thinking skills of children and young people is the main aim of awarding more than half a million dollars in grants to a wide variety of creative learning projects throughout WA.

Arts projects set to shine with more than $600,000 funding

18 September 2023

Media release

The State Government is investing $609,088 in 13 diverse projects including the presentation of the New Bachelorette, a theatrical production by Julia Hales and Bron Batten.

Graphic tile with the words, 'Expression of interest'.

Peer Assessor Panel expressions of interest

8 September 2023

The Department of Sport, Local Government and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) is seeking expressions of interest from people with experience in the Western Australian arts and cultural sector to assess grant applications for the culture and arts team.

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Filter funding by selecting a recipient and clicking the buttons below.

Recipient:

Number of rounds open.

Open funding and opening soon

Arts Activities in Regional Communities

Funding round open

Closing 4:00pm 9 October 2025

Funding for projects that support participation in, access to and creation of arts and culture in regional Western Australia.

For arts and cultural projects in regional WA that align with the following objectives:

Increase access to and/or participation in arts and culture in regional Western Australia.
Provide employment opportunities, skills development or/and career pathways for regional Western Australian artists and arts workers.
Encourage development of regional creative and cultural industries including cultural tourism.
Support community led activities and creative developments.
Contribute to social inclusion, wellbeing, cohesion and vibrancy in regional WA communities.

Available for

Aboriginal communities
Groups
Individuals
Organisations
Regional local governments

Categories and amounts

Creative Projects (Up to $60,000)
Creative and Cultural Planning (Up to $50,000)

Arts Activities in Regional Communities Arts Activities in Regional Communities Guidelines

Arts Short Notice Activity Program

Funding round open

Closing 4:00pm 4 December 2025

The Arts Short Notice Activity Program (Arts SNAP) for individuals and groups offers funding for regional, national and international short notice activities for artists and creative industry professionals.

The program supports the growth of a vibrant sector that promotes the participation and active engagement of Western Australian artists and arts workers in high quality arts and cultural opportunities. Grants of up to $5000 for national and regional opportunities, and up to $10,000 for international, are available for individuals and groups.

Available for

Groups
Individuals

Categories and amounts

Regional and national opportunities (Up to $5000)
International opportunities (Up to $10,000)

Arts Short Notice Activity Program Arts Short Notice Activity Program Guidelines

Connecting to Country

Funding round open

Closing 4:00pm 9 October 2025

Supports projects that enable Western Australian Aboriginal people and organisations to undertake on Country activities that foster the intergenerational transfer of knowledge, preservation of culture and strengthening of communities.

The program intends to:

facilitate sharing of cultural knowledge and skills between generations, such as the preservation of language, stories and dance
recognise Aboriginal cultural leadership within the Aboriginal community and support leadership development in young people
contribute to stronger community mental health and wellbeing
strengthen, protect and maintain traditional ways of maintaining cultural knowledge.

Available for

Aboriginal communities
Community organisations
Education institutions
Groups
Individuals
Industry representative bodies
Local governments

Categories and amounts

Connecting to Country Connecting to Country guidelines

Contemporary Music Fund Development Program

Funding round open

Closing 4:00pm 4 December 2025

The Contemporary Music Fund (CMF) assists homegrown contemporary music artists with projects that enable them to produce and promote their work, along with building links nationally and internationally.

The Contemporary Music Fund Development Program supports career changing opportunities for individuals, bands and music industry professionals.

The program offers up to $20,000 funding for professional development, sector development, international, national, and regional touring/showcasing opportunities, and recording and promotional activities.

For the purpose of this program, contemporary music is defined as music that is currently being written and recorded and/or performed, with priority given to music that is broadly understood as popular.

The CMF Development Program is designed to complement existing creative industries grant programs.

Applicants must clearly demonstrate how the opportunity or activity will develop their career and why it is particularly timely.

Available for

Community organisations
Groups
Individuals

Categories and amounts

Regional, national and international touring/showcasing, professional development, and recording and promotional opportunities (Offers up to $20,000 funding)

Contemporary Music Fund — Development Program Contemporary Music Fund Development Program guidelines

Creative Learning

Funding round open

Closing 4:00pm 9 October 2025

This program partners schools, creatives, and organisations to embed creativity into students' learning and understanding across curriculum areas.

The Creative Learning program offers funding to support creative learning projects and the development of creative learning practices in schools. The program invites Western Australian schools, creatives, and organisations to partner, connect and learn about creative processes.

Creative learning encourages the use of insight, imagination, intuition, connection, questioning, immersive practice, reflection, process driven practice, design, research, fieldwork and observation.

The 3 program categories, Partnerships, Collaborations and Residencies, support activities utilising arts-based practice to engage students in their learning beyond arts curriculum areas. These activities do not replace the learning in the arts curriculum subject areas.

Projects will support access, participation and overall engagement for students (K to 12) and develop educators’ capacity to use creative pedagogy through professional learning with creative practitioners.

The funded project should be designed as a series of transformative creative learning experiences that is inclusive of multiple curriculum areas and demonstrates deep learning through creativity.

Available for

Arts organisations
Community organisations
Cultural organisations
Groups
Individuals
Local governments
Organisations
Not-for-profit organisations
Primary schools
Secondary schools

Categories and amounts

Partnerships (Grants of $80,000 to $120,000 per annum for 2 year projects)
Collaborations (Grants of up to $60,000)
Residencies (Grants of up to $20,000)

Creative Learning Collaborations guidelines Partnerships guidelines Residencies guidelines

Creativity for Schools

Funding closed but opening later

Opening 21 October 2025

This program partners schools and creatives to embed creativity into students' learning and understanding across curriculum areas.

The Creativity for Schools Program offers funding support to connect Western Australian creatives with schools.

Creativity for Schools supports activities using arts-based practice to engage students in their learning beyond arts curriculum areas. The two program categories, Collaboration and Residency, will support access, participation and overall engagement for students (K to 12) in transformative creative learning experiences. They will also develop educators to use creative pedagogy across curriculum areas and beyond.

Available for

Community organisations
Individuals
Local governments
Organisations
Not-for-profit organisations
Primary schools
Secondary schools

Categories and amounts

Residency (Grants of up to $20,000)
Collaboration (Grants of up to $60,000)

Creativity for Schools Creativity for Schools Collaboration guidelines Creativity for Schools Residency guidelines

Partnership Acceptance Learning Sharing (PALS)

Funding closed but opening later

Opening 21 October 2025

Grants for WA schools to promote and advance reconciliation.

The Partnership Acceptance Learning Sharing (PALS) program encourages WA schools to develop projects promoting and advancing reconciliation in their local community. By supporting projects that enhance the education and understanding of Aboriginal cultures, achievements and histories in the classroom, we gain a deeper understanding of the experiences and diversity of Aboriginal people, which is key to recognising our shared histories and unified futures.

The PALS program objectives are:

Partnership between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people based on trust, mutual respect and understanding.
Acceptance of and respect for diversity and valuing Aboriginal perspectives.
Learning more about each other, Aboriginal histories, languages and cultures; and how we can build strong partnerships with Aboriginal people.
Sharing a common journey towards healing and reconciliation.

Available for

Primary schools
Secondary schools

Categories and amounts

Connecting to Country and Culture
Community Relationships
History
Arts
Inclusive Environments
Language

Partnership Acceptance Learning Sharing (PALS) Partnership Acceptance Learning Sharing (PALS) guidelines

Regional Performing Arts

Funding round open

Closing 4:00pm 9 October 2025

Funding to support the development of new performing arts work and touring of existing performing arts work in regional Western Australia.

The Regional Performing Arts — Made in WA category supports the development of new performing art works, which are relevant and responsive to regional audiences and communities, that will be premiered in regional venues.

The Regional Performing Arts — Playing WA category supports the touring of WA produced performing arts shows to regional and remote communities in Western Australia.

Available for

Groups
Individuals
Organisations
Regional local governments

Categories and amounts

Made in WA (Up to $150,000)
Playing WA (Up to $150,000)

Regional Performing Arts Regional Performing Arts Guidelines — Playing WA Regional Performing Arts Guidelines — Made in WA

Closed funding

Arts Organisations Investment Program

Funding round closed

The Arts Organisations Investment Program is an open and competitive multiyear funding program to support Western Australia’s arts, cultural and creative sector organisations.

The Arts Organisations Investment Program aims to build strong Western Australian arts, cultural and creative sector organisations that support the vibrancy of our State and celebrates this internationally.

It invests in a portfolio of small to medium organisations that:

create and present high quality and the best of its type arts, cultural and creative experiences
create work that is original, innovative and authentic that respects cultural tradition, or promotes social awareness and cohesion
broaden and deepen community access and engagement in arts, cultural and creative experiences
reflects the diversity of the State through telling Western Australian stories
have strong connections with and presence in communities increasing the reach, depth and diversity of audience engagement
collaborate with others to create new sustainable ways of working together
leverage opportunities and funding from a range of sources and partners develop and operate in a financially, environmentally and socially sustainable way.

Arts Organisations Investment Program

Arts Projects for Individuals and Groups

Funding round closed

Offering between $5000 and $80,000 funding for artists and creative industry professionals to deliver a one-off project or a program of activity.

The program supports the development and growth of a vibrant sector that promotes the participation and active engagement of Western Australian communities in high quality arts and cultural experiences.

Arts Projects for Individuals and Groups Arts Projects for Individuals and Groups guidelines

Arts Projects for Organisations

Funding round closed

Offering between $5000 and $80,000 funding for arts and creative industry organisations to deliver a one-off project or a program of activity.

Arts Projects for Organisations Arts Projects for Organisations guidelines

Creative Learning Partnerships Program

Funding round closed

Increasing access for students and teachers to engage in enriched learning through arts experiences.

The Creative Learning Partnerships Program offers grants between $60,000 and $250,000 per annum to deliver 2-year creative learning programs.

The Creative Learning Partnerships Program enhances students’ (years 2 to 9) and educators’ creative learning capabilities in and through the arts. Programs will build educators' pedagogical capacities and increase access to and participation in the arts, cultural and creative activities.

A key concern addressed through the program is those students who are disadvantaged and least likely to have access to such opportunities to enrich their overall learning and engagement. As part of the Creative Learning Partnerships Program, arts organisations will work with identified clusters of schools to deliver programming over two years.

Creative WA Fellowships

Funding round closed

The Creative WA Fellowships program supports individual artists and creatives to undertake creative development, skills development and forge career pathways via individual arts fellowships.

This program supports the Creative WA vision to grow and sustain thriving culture, arts and creative industries in Western Australia.

Creative WA Fellowships Creative WA Fellowships guidelines

Creative WA Internships

Funding round closed

The Creative WA Internships program offers organisations the opportunity to provide internships for individuals to undertake skills development and forge career pathways.

Internships of $70,000 are available for an organisation to employ a young person or recent graduate.

Up to 3 Creative WA Internships will be offered each year.

This program supports the Creative WA vision to grow and sustain thriving culture, arts and creative industries in Western Australia.

For a list of other opportunities available across Australia for WA residents, see fellowships, residencies and internships.

Creative WA Internships Creative WA Internships guidelines

Creativity and Wellbeing for Young People

Funding round closed

Supporting projects for children and young people to engage in authentic creative and artistic experiences, promoting positive social and emotional wellbeing.

The Department Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport and Healthway recognises the importance of providing opportunities for children and young people to engage in authentic creative and artistic experiences, promoting positive social and emotional wellbeing.

The program will support the engagement of creative practitioners to use the arts as a vehicle to reach priority communities and increase opportunities for young people to engage in continuous creative activities to encourage agency, creativity, connection and resilience while supporting their overall mental, social and emotional wellbeing.

Creativity and Wellbeing for Young People Creativity and Wellbeing for Young People guidelines

Playing WA Multiyear

Funding round closed

Funding to support a 3-year program touring WA-produced performing arts shows to regional and remote towns and communities in Western Australia.

Up to $400,000 for touring programs delivered across 3 years that align with 2 or more of the following objectives:

Increase the number, quality and variety of performances touring to regional WA.
Engage new audiences and contribute to the liveability and vibrancy of regional communities by enabling local communities to make decisions about their performing arts needs.
Establish or further develop partnerships, collaborations and/or networks between artists, producers, arts organisations, regional venues and communities.
Provide employment and/or professional skill development opportunities for regional artists and arts workers in regional WA.
Support projects that increase access and participation or presentation opportunities by, with or for Aboriginal communities and/or young people.

The Regional Performing Arts grant program is available for one-off touring programs.

Playing WA Multiyear Playing WA Multiyear guidelines

Public Regional Galleries Improvement Fund

Funding round closed

The program aims to improve access to high-quality arts and cultural experiences for regional audiences, and increase the capacity of public galleries to receive touring exhibitions.

Your application must align with the primary objective and the supporting objectives.

Public Regional Galleries Improvement Fund Public Regional Galleries Improvement Fund Guidelines

Regional Aboriginal Arts Development

Funding round closed

Funding for projects that support the development of Aboriginal artists and the Aboriginal arts and cultural sector in regional Western Australia.

For Aboriginal arts and cultural projects in regional and remote WA that align with one or more of the following objectives:

support the development of significant and large-scale works created and produced by Aboriginal artists in regional Western Australia
showcase the unique stories of Western Australia’s First Nations peoples and engage new and diverse audiences
support regional Aboriginal arts and cultural organisations to develop strategic, business, succession, sustainability, and/or governance plans
support audience development and economic diversification by strengthening Aboriginal arts and cultural organisations and industry
support long-term skills development goals for Aboriginal arts workers, artists and communities
enable employment opportunities and improve economic growth for regional Aboriginal artists, arts workers and communities.

Regional Aboriginal Arts Development Regional Aboriginal Arts Development Guidelines

Regional Arts Venues Support

Funding round closed

Funding to support the expansion of annual programs delivered by arts venues in regional Western Australia over a 3-year period.

The primary objective of the Regional Arts Venues Support program is to support the development of regional arts venues by enhancing their reach and engagement.

Supporting objectives:

Raise the quality, scale and profile of the arts in regional Western Australia
Boost employment and tourism opportunities in regional Western Australia
Enable regional arts venues to better leverage investment and generate income
Increase opportunities for regional communities to participate in arts and cultural activities and contribute to the liveability and vibrancy of regional communities.

Regional Arts Venues Support Regional Arts Venues Support Guidelines

Industry funding

Major Performing Arts companies

The Major Performing Arts companies play a vital role in the development of artists and audiences, as well as being a large employer of artists and arts professionals in Western Australia.

Major Performing Arts companies

Showcase

‘Showcase’ profiles the creativity, skill and talent of artists and arts organisations in Western Australia through media, social media platforms and outdoor screens across the city.

Showcase

Contact us

Grants officers

For enquiries relating to the grant programs, including advice or assistance with your application, contact a grants officer:

Email a grants officer

Online Grants portal technical support

For help to use the portal or for technical issues, email the Online Grants Support Team.

Assistance for people with disability

The department is committed to supporting applicants with disability. Information can be provided in alternative formats (large print, electronic or Braille) upon request.

If you require special assistance in preparing your application, please call 61 8 6552 7400 or toll free for regional WA callers on 1800 634 541.

Family, friends, mentors and/or carers can attend meetings with you.

If you are deaf, or have a hearing or speech impairment, contact us through one of the following:

National Relay Service (NRS) then ask for 1800 634 541
TTY users phone 133 677 then ask for 1800 634 541
Speak and Listen users phone 1800 555 727 ask for 1800 634 541.

Interpreting assistance

For interpreting assistance in languages other than English, telephone the Translation and Interpreting Service on 13 14 50.

Regional applicants

Toll free (country WA callers only) 1800 634 541

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Creative industries funding

Online grants

Funding news

Regional galleries shine brighter with $314,000 upgrade boost

The show goes on for WA creatives

WA schools advancing reconciliation with local community projects

WA art hubs set for funding boost

Art program funding to help boost wellbeing for young people

🎶Funding is now open for WA musicians to take up career defining opportunities!

Supporting the next generation of WA creatives

Funding brings cultural understanding to students, teachers and school communities

Arts funding ignites creative performances across WA’s regions

Arts to thrive with $1.9 million in funding for cultural experiences

WA leading the way in Creative Learning

PALS grants bring cultural understanding to the classroom

New Chapter for WA children’s book author Sharon Giltrow

$600,000 to boost creativity and wellbeing for young people

Funding supports successful cultural and arts alliance in Kimberley

Applications for Community Recovery Grants Program now open

Supporting a thriving arts and culture sector in WA

Half a million dollars to encourage creativity in our schools

Arts projects set to shine with more than $600,000 funding

Peer Assessor Panel expressions of interest

Filter funding

Open funding and opening soon

Arts Activities in Regional Communities

Available for

Categories and amounts

Arts Short Notice Activity Program

Available for

Categories and amounts

Connecting to Country

Available for

Categories and amounts

Contemporary Music Fund Development Program

Available for

Categories and amounts

Creative Learning

Available for

Categories and amounts

Creativity for Schools

Available for

Categories and amounts

Partnership Acceptance Learning Sharing (PALS)

Available for

Categories and amounts

Regional Performing Arts

Available for

Categories and amounts

Closed funding

Arts Organisations Investment Program

Arts Projects for Individuals and Groups

Arts Projects for Organisations

Creative Learning Partnerships Program

Creative WA Fellowships

Creative WA Internships

Creativity and Wellbeing for Young People

Playing WA Multiyear

Public Regional Galleries Improvement Fund

Regional Aboriginal Arts Development

Regional Arts Venues Support

Industry funding

Major Performing Arts companies

Showcase

Contact us

Grants officers

Online Grants portal technical support

Assistance for people with disability

Interpreting assistance

Regional applicants

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Related information

Acknowledgement of Country

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