Grant Therapy March Edition
Queensland Arts Project Fund, Touring Queensland Fund and Other Creative Grants
Looking for arts grants in Queensland, New South Wales or regional Australia in 2026?
Each month, Grant Therapy highlights open creative industry grants and shows you how to strengthen your application by embedding wellbeing, sustainability and strong governance.
Funding is not just about securing investment.
It is about delivering the work safely, sustainably and without burning out your team.
Below are current opportunities for artists and arts organisations in 2026, with practical inclusions to help you stand out.
Queensland Arts Project Fund Round 2 2026
Funder: Arts Queensland
Official guidelines: https://www.arts.qld.gov.au/funding-opportunities/funding/queensland-arts-project-fund
Opens week commencing Monday 23 February 2026
Closes Tuesday 7 April 2026
Notification mid July 2026
Projects must start after 31 August 2026
The Queensland Arts Project Fund is one of the primary Arts Queensland grants supporting the creation, development and presentation of new artistic work across all artforms.
If you are applying for Queensland arts funding in 2026, this is a key round.
What Assessors Are Looking For
Alongside artistic merit, assessors evaluate feasibility, governance, risk management and sector sustainability.
Strong applications demonstrate both creative vision and responsible delivery.
What to Include in Your QAPF Application
A clear statement outlining safe rehearsal and production practices, including reasonable working hours and communication processes.
A modest wellbeing budget allocation for Mental Health First Aid training, facilitated debrief sessions or confidential counselling access.
A strengthened risk section addressing fatigue, emotional intensity, compressed timelines and small team capacity.
Language that positions your project as supporting sustainable creative careers in Queensland.
Wellbeing strengthens governance scoring and increases assessor confidence.
Touring Queensland Fund Round 2 2026
Funder: Arts Queensland
Official guidelines: https://www.arts.qld.gov.au/funding-opportunities/funding/touring-queensland-fund
Opens Monday 23 March 2026
Closes Tuesday 5 May 2026 at 2pm
Notification mid July 2026
Projects must start after 7 September 2026
The Touring Queensland Fund supports touring of high quality artistic work across Queensland, including regional communities.
Touring arts grants require careful planning beyond logistics.
Strengthening Your Touring Queensland Fund Application
Include a touring wellbeing plan with structured rest periods and realistic travel scheduling.
Address touring fatigue and bump in and bump out compression in your risk section.
Allocate funds for tour debrief sessions, telehealth access or Mental Health First Aid training for key staff.
Demonstrate clear communication processes and cultural sensitivity planning when engaging regional audiences.
Touring increases fatigue risk. Naming and managing that risk strengthens your proposal.
Uptown Grant Program Round 4
Funder: NSW Government
Official information: https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/uptown-grant-program-round-4
The Uptown Grant Program supports activation of high streets and commercial precincts in New South Wales.
Creative place making, festivals, pop up exhibitions and cultural events may be eligible.
Wellbeing in Place Activation Projects
Activation grants often involve compressed timelines and volunteer heavy delivery models.
To strengthen your application:
Outline volunteer care frameworks, including rostering limits and debrief processes.
Include event day escalation pathways and communication protocols.
Address emotional labour for frontline staff and organisers.
Demonstrate responsible crowd and risk management planning.
Economic activation funding still requires strong governance.
Regional Arts Fund 2026
Funder: Australian Government
Official guidelines: https://www.arts.gov.au/funding-and-support/regional-arts-fund
Opening and closing dates vary by state delivery partner.
The Regional Arts Fund supports artists and communities in regional, rural and remote Australia.
If you are seeking regional arts funding in 2026, this program remains a core opportunity.
Strengthening Your Regional Arts Fund Application
Include access to telehealth or external support services for facilitators and participants.
Build in peer support sessions or structured debrief processes after intensive delivery.
Use trauma informed facilitation approaches where relevant.
Frame your project as strengthening long term regional creative capacity and community resilience.
Regional work often carries invisible pressures. Naming them shows awareness and leadership.
Pride Foundation Australia Small Grants
Funder: Pride Foundation Australia
Official guidelines: https://pridefoundation.org.au/small-grants/
Round dates vary. Check the official website for current timelines.
The Pride Foundation Australia Small Grants Program supports projects improving the health and wellbeing of LGBTQIA plus communities across Australia.
Creative projects focused on identity, belonging and storytelling are highly relevant.
Strengthening Your Pride Foundation Application
Include psychological safety frameworks and clear reporting pathways.
Outline trauma informed facilitation processes where appropriate.
Budget for counsellor referrals, support access or post event debrief spaces.
Frame belonging and connection as protective mental health factors.
Inclusion requires structure, not just intention.
Need Support With Your Grant Application?
If you are preparinga application and want to strengthen your governance, risk planning or wellbeing framework, contact Hey Mate.
We support artists and arts organisations across Australia to embed sustainable delivery practices into funded projects.
Funding the idea is important. Protecting the people delivering it is essential.
The information provided in this article is general in nature and intended for informational purposes only. Funding guidelines, eligibility criteria and dates may change. Applicants are responsible for reviewing official guidelines and confirming all details directly with the relevant funding body.
