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  • Media release

Creative Australia backs 278 creative projects connecting artists, communities and regions

A major First Nations festival hub, a children’s sky symphony and a regional dance festival are among 278 arts projects to receive investment through Creative Australia.

Jul 09, 2026

The latest investment of $13.72m will support ambitious work that connects communities and shares Australian stories. This includes funding from Music Australia, Writing Australia, First Nations Arts and the Visual Art, Craft and Design Partnership Framework. 

Highlights include YIRRAMBOI First Nations Festival’s Weelam Ngalut (Our Home), which will expand the Uncle Jack Charles Festival Hub into a more ambitious First Nations-led public arts precinct in Melbourne; and Holly Austin’s Kite Choir: A Global Sky Symphony, a large-scale public artwork where hundreds of kites carry recordings of children’s voices gathered across Australia and internationally. 

Other highlights include Catapult Dance Choreographic Hub’s Impact Festival in Lake Macquarie, creating a platform for independent dance artists and First Nations programming in regional NSW; and strong support for writing and poetry collections, including new works from Nam Le, John Kinsella and Jill Jones.  

Acting CEO Tim Blackwell said: 

“This investment supports projects led by First Nations artists, work created with and for young people, and programs that will reach audiences in communities, regions and on international stages. 

“As well as supporting creative careers, this investment will connect people with the arts in many different settings, from local communities to national and international audiences.” 

More information is available of Creative Australia’s website.  


Media contact

Brianna Roberts 

Media Manager, Creative Australia 

Mobile: 0498 123 541 

Email: brianna.roberts@creative.gov.au 

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We acknowledge the many Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and honour their Elders past and present.

We respect their deep enduring connection to their lands, waterways and surrounding clan groups since time immemorial. We cherish the richness of First Nations Peoples’ artistic and cultural expressions.

We are privileged to gather on this Country and through this website to share knowledge, culture and art now, and with future generations.

First Nations Peoples should be aware that this website may contain images or names of people who have died.

Image alt text

We acknowledge the many Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and honour their Elders past and present.

We respect their deep enduring connection to their lands, waterways, and surrounding clan groups since time immemorial. We cherish the richness of First Nations peoples’ artistic and cultural expressions. We are privileged to gather on this Country and to share knowledge, culture and art, now and with future generations.

Art by Jordan Lovegrove