Search Grants & Funding

AusArt Day is a national initiative designed to support and enable a collective action by artists and arts organisations to fundraise on one national day – increasing the visibility of arts philanthropy and encouraging greater generosity in support of the arts.

It aims to elevate the public value of the arts in the consciousness of everyday Australians and increase donor engagement in support of Australian creativity.

For 2026, AusArt Day will take place on Thursday 22 October 2026, building on the momentum of its inaugural year. AusArt Day offers two grant opportunities, as follows:  

To support the creation of digital content for use within your AusArt Day campaign:  

• artists and collectives – $2,500
• arts organisations (of less than $5 million operating budget) – $5,000. 

An opt-in dollar-for-dollar matched funding to incentivise your donor engagement during your AusArt Day campaign: 

• artists and collectives – $2,500
• arts organisations (of less than $5 million operating budget) – $5,000 

The matched funding initiative encourages donations during AusArt Day by matching each contribution dollar-for-dollar, effectively doubling the value of every donation up to a set limit (limits outlined above). 

Applicants who opt in to the matched funding component are required to demonstrate how matched funding will be applied strategically to strengthen their campaign and maximise donor engagement.  Applicants may receive one or both granted opportunities.  

The Contemporary Music Touring Program (CMTP) supports national touring activity undertaken by Australian musicians performing original Australian contemporary music.

The tour must comprise of performances in at least three venues or locations outside of the performer’s hometown. Tours that include regional and remote destinations, or which assist performers residing in regional and remote areas to tour, are a priority for funding.

Grants are available from $5,000 to $50,000, depending on the number of tour venues or locations in regional or remote areas.

Who can apply

You may submit a maximum of two applications to each round of CMTP.

You may apply as an individual, on behalf of a group, or as an organisation, to tour live music performances within Australia.

Touring musicians must be performing original Australian contemporary music. Funding can be provided to performers, managers, agents, and music networks on behalf of professionals working in the Australian music industry. Applications must contain one tour only.

The Contemporary Music Touring Program (CMTP) supports national touring activity undertaken by Australian musicians performing original Australian contemporary music.

The tour must comprise of performances in at least three venues or locations outside of the performer’s hometown. Tours that include regional and remote destinations, or which assist performers residing in regional and remote areas to tour, are a priority for funding.

Grants are available from $5,000 to $50,000, depending on the number of tour venues or locations in regional or remote areas.

Who can apply

You may submit a maximum of two applications to each round of CMTP.

You may apply as an individual, on behalf of a group, or as an organisation, to tour live music performances within Australia.

Touring musicians must be performing original Australian contemporary music. Funding can be provided to performers, managers, agents, and music networks on behalf of professionals working in the Australian music industry. Applications must contain one tour only.

The Contemporary Music Touring Program (CMTP) supports national touring activity undertaken by Australian musicians performing original Australian contemporary music.

The tour must comprise of performances in at least three venues or locations outside of the performer’s hometown. Tours that include regional and remote destinations, or which assist performers residing in regional and remote areas to tour, are a priority for funding.

Grants are available from $5,000 to $50,000, depending on the number of tour venues or locations in regional or remote areas.

Who can apply

You may submit a maximum of two applications to each round of CMTP.

You may apply as an individual, on behalf of a group, or as an organisation, to tour live music performances within Australia.

Touring musicians must be performing original Australian contemporary music. Funding can be provided to performers, managers, agents, and music networks on behalf of professionals working in the Australian music industry. Applications must contain one tour only.

Organisations are invited to apply for up to $150,000 per annum for a total of $300,000 over the two-year investment period. 

Organisations must deliver the following services in support of First Nations editorial development:  

• provide opportunities for First Nations editors to work on a range of projects across genres in a publishing house or editorial environment
• develop the skills of First Nations editors within a culturally safe workplace
• provide opportunities for First Nations writers to work with First Nations editors on their writing. 

In addition to the mandatory deliverables listed above, other possible services and activities that may be considered for inclusion in your proposal, where appropriate, are:   

• professional development
• national and/or international industry networking opportunities
• collaboration with key literature organisations or relevant partners
• initiatives that will embed First Nations editorial expertise within the publishing industry
• other initiatives that will strengthen the capabilities of First Nations editors. 

Who can submit a proposal 

Organisations with a demonstrated track record of publishing works by First Nations writers are invited to submit a proposal for this opportunity. 

Creative Australia requires that organisations be registered under Australian law (for example, incorporated association or company limited by guarantee) or created by law (for example, a government statutory authority). 

• Organisations may be required to provide a certificate of incorporation or evidence of their current legal status.