- Cook Government funding strengthens access to creative industries in regional communities
- Funding boost supports 17 projects to deliver creative experiences across WA's regions
- $780,000 in State Government funding for regional artists and activities
- Cook Government fostering a vibrant and creative economy
Artists across regional Western Australia will be able to deliver more community-led arts and cultural activities after receiving a funding boost through the 2025-26 round of the Arts Activities in Regional Communities program.
Almost $780,000 invested by the Cook Government through the 2025-26 round will be shared among 17 projects, supporting community-led arts and cultural activity across the State's regions.
The funding supports festivals, performances, interactive public art and community engagement as well as creative and cultural planning and professional development for artists, helping to foster the creation of new work, increase participation in arts and culture, and improve access to high-quality cultural experiences in regional Western Australia.
The Arts Activities in Regional Communities program is delivered through two funding categories:
- Creative Projects, awarding up to $60,000 to support community-led arts and cultural activities; and
- Creative and Cultural Planning, awarding up to $50,000 to support regional local governments to develop or refresh creative and cultural plans.
Projects supported in this round will be delivered across regional Western Australia during 2026 and 2027, creating opportunities for communities to come together, share stories, build skills and celebrate local creativity.
The recipients of the 2025-26 Arts Activities in Regional Communities program are:
- Gascoyne in May - $60,000 for Festival Machines
- Theatre Kimberley - $59,684 for It Made You Feel Important
- City of Karratha - $59,809 for Red Earth Arts Festival 2026
- Goolarri Media Enterprises $59,518 for Grow and evolve Goolarri's Writers Program
- Lachlan McGregor - $17,910 for Playmakers 2026
- City of Busselton - $49,594 for the development of an Arts, Culture and Heritage Strategy for the City of Busselton
- Pigram Productions - $59,912 for Raised in Big Spirit Country Broome
- Geraldton Open Studios & Surrounds $33,339 for GOSS Open Studios 2026
- Kimberley Arts Network - $52,781 for The Kimberley Open Studios Trail
- Town of Port Hedland - $15,100 for Unleashed Pilbara Pride Week 2026
- Shire of Upper Gascoyne - $36,000 for Gascoyne Music in the Park 2026
- Denmark Arts Council - $58,898 for the Beyond 'Brave New Works' Project
- Bidyadanga Aboriginal Community La Grange - $27,101 for From the Desert to the Seaside - Bidyadanga Music and Arts Festival
- Perth International Jazz Festival - $48,300 for From Zero to 100: Performance and Community Engagement Program
- Arts Margaret River - $27,586 for Common Ground 2026
- Kirsten Hudson - $59,645 for Light as Voice: Cameraless Photovoice Residency and Community Program
- Bunbury Fringe - $53,954 for Bunbury Fringe 2027 - The Next Decade
For more information on the Arts Activities in Regional Communities program visit the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport website .
As stated by Creative Industries Minister Simone McGurk:
"When communities have access to arts and culture, they are stronger, more connected and more vibrant.
"The Arts Activities in Regional Communities program backs our State's regional artists and local governments to deliver community-led projects and build vibrant communities.
"These projects celebrate local stories, creativity and connection, while creating opportunities for people of all ages to engage with arts and culture where they live."
As stated by Regional Development Minister Stephen Dawson:
"The Cook Government recognises the vital role artists and organisations play in bringing people together across Western Australia.
"This funding ensures regional Western Australians can continue to enjoy diverse creative experiences that build pride of place and community wellbeing."
