- Cook Government invests more than $2.4 million to support new arts projects across WA
- 42 creative initiatives backed through latest round of Arts Projects grants
- Investment strengthens WA's creative workforce and supports community engagement
- Cook Government fostering a vibrant and creative economy
A vibrant mix of performances, arts projects, and cultural initiatives will be delivered across Western Australia, backed in by new funding from the Cook Government.
More than $2.4 million has been awarded through the latest round of the Arts Projects program, supporting Western Australian artists, groups, and organisations to deliver high-quality creative and cultural experiences.
As part of this round, 17 initiatives from individual artists and groups will share in $893,501 through the Arts Projects for Individuals and Groups program. A further 25 organisation-led projects will receive $1,511,508 in support as part of the Arts Projects for Organisations grant program.
This funding supports development, production, and presentation of creative work, helps build a strong and sustainable arts sector, and ensures communities throughout Western Australia can participate in and enjoy diverse cultural experiences.
The recipients of the Arts Projects for Organisations program are:
Perth metropolitan
- Perth Centre for Photography - $51,080 for Developing First Nations Leadership and Expanding the Future of Exposure
- Cloning Music - $51,793 for Cloning Sophomore Album 'Point Nemo' Creation and Release 2026
- Damdam - $60,902 for Damdam - Annual Program of Activity 2026
- Cool Change Contemporary - $61,525 for Cool Change 2026 Annual Program: Residencies
- Encounter Theatre - $79,983 for Studio Encounter
- OFS Investments - $59,019 for Digitising the Future of WA Fashion Manufacturing
- Tone List - $80,000 for Audible Edge Festival of Exploratory Music 2026
- ChitAmbara - $79,757 for The BhuMeJha Project
- Yinjaa-Barni Art Aboriginal Corporation - $58,318 for The Void Solo Exhibition by Melissa Sandy
- UWA Westerly Magazine - $20,549 for Westerly Magazine 2026: Publication Costs
- National Exhibitions Touring Structure (ART ON THE MOVE - Auspiced for Nalda Searles) - $65,855 for Monograph for Nalda Searles
- Perth Comic Arts Festival Organising Committee - $67,361 for Annual Program of Activities 2026
- The Equity Benevolent Guild of WA - $24,000 for 2026 Performing Arts WA Awards
- 360 Artist Logistics - $44,071 for Sound States Music Business Mentorship Program 2026
Goldfields-Esperance
- Ravensthorpe Regional Arts Council - $80,000 for ARTitude: Inspiring Creative Confidence and Wellbeing in Youth
Great Southern
- Australian Baroque - $80,000 for Six Noongar Seasons premiere - Albany Bicentenary 2026
- ArtSouthWA - $37,000 for Albany Bicentenary Festival of Halls and Easter Art Festival 2026
Pilbara
- Kunawarritji Aboriginal Corporation - $71,700 for Wild Dingo Band debut album
South West
- Arts Margaret River - $58,956 for Margaret River Readers & Writers Festival 2026
- Bunbury Fringe - $62,342 for Bunbury Fringe 2026
State-wide, national, and international
- Southern Forest Arts - $80,000 for Annual Program 2026 (State-wide)
- Seesaw Magazine - $80,000 for Strengthening WA Arts and Culture (State-wide)
- South Summit Band - $43,233 for National Tour 2026 (National)
- The Southern River Band - $71,519 for EU & UK Album Tour (International)
- Art Collective WA - $42,545 for Presenting WA artists at Melbourne & Sydney Art Fairs (National)
The recipients of the Arts Projects for Individuals and Groups program are:
Perth metropolitan
- Mark Neal - $63,161 for BLOOM - Western Australian music showcase
- Sarah Nelson - $80,000 for Into the Fog - Premier Season
- Glenn Watson - $50,000 for Strange Festival 2026
- Oron Catts - $61,039 for Tissue Culture & Art Project - 30-year Retrospective at AGWA
- Campbell Whyte - $40,800 for How to Survive a World on Fire - Graphic Novel
- Martina Van der Eecken - $40,874 for Art Meets Science: Sculptural Archive
- Sally Richardson - $79,976 for TROPHY - Regional Development Residencies (Harvey & Karratha)
- Nick Pages-Oliver - $58,484 for Same Time Next Week - Re-development
- Leigh Gardiner - $52,257 for Tender is the Night - 2026 Season
- Lauren Marchbank - $60,330 for A Cure for Loneliness
- Quindell Orton - $5,139 for Making of a Man
- Justine McKnight - $50,792 for Art, Design and Fashion Exhibition with Helen Britton
- The Trustee for the Alice Street Trust - $50,000 for Strange Festival 2026
- Beverley Anne Farren - $77,619 for WA Contemporary Fashion Project
Kimberley
- Monique Le Lievre - $25,236 for Stellar Moon album - production and recording
Great Southern
- Madelaine Dickie - $78,889 for Milk Teeth - Literary gothic novel with Tiffany Hastie and Josh Kemp
National and international
- Desmond Mah - $24,900 for Asia Pacific Now: Cleanse, Singapore group exhibition
- Siddharth Pattni - $44,005 for artist residency and exhibition
These investments support the development and delivery of creative works that strengthen WA's creative workforce, deepen community engagement, and contribute to a vibrant and diverse cultural landscape.
As stated by Creative Industries Minister Simone McGurk:
"This investment will help Western Australian artists share their stories, music, language, and cultural heritage with audiences across our State and beyond.
"From literature and visual arts to music, festivals and digital innovation, these projects showcase the diverse and outstanding talent of WA creatives.
"The Cook Government is committed to supporting our creative industries, strengthening local careers, and ensuring communities throughout Western Australia can access rich and engaging cultural experiences."
