Regional arts

The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) recognises regional arts as a priority and an essential part of our vision to create a vibrant, connected and inclusive Western Australian community.

Regional applicants are encouraged to apply to all funding programs offered by the department however there are a number of programs specifically for regional Western Australia.

These programs, Regional Exhibition Touring Boost (RETB) and Regional Arts and Cultural Investment Program (RACIP), are supported by Royalties for Regions through DLGSC and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

From 2023-24 to 2026-27, DLGSC will build on previous investment into the regional arts and culture sector through 3 strategic focus areas:

  1. project funding
  2. organisational development
  3. sector capacity building.

New grant programs will be listed here as announced.

Project funding

Arts Activities in Regional Communities

Funding for projects that support participation in, access to and creation of arts and culture in regional Western Australia.

Regional Aboriginal Arts Development

Funding for projects that support the development of Aboriginal artists and the Aboriginal arts and cultural sector in regional Western Australia.

Regional Performing Arts

Funding to support the development of new performing arts work and touring of existing performing arts work in regional Western Australia.

Playing WA Multiyear

Funding to support a 3-year program touring WA-produced performing arts shows to regional and remote towns and communities in Western Australia.

Organisational development

Regional Arts Venues Support

Funding to support the expansion of annual programs delivered by arts venues in regional Western Australia over a 3-year period.
Regional Arts Venues Support

Regional Arts Sector Investment

The department partners with Regional Arts WA to fund employment and operational support for regional arts organisations.

Sector capacity building

As part of the RACIP and RETB, the department partners with:

  • AACHWA to deliver business development for Aboriginal Arts Centres and to support increasing Aboriginal training and employment pathways in the regional creative industries.  
  • CircuitWest to provide capacity building services to the State’s performing arts venues.
  • Art on the Move to service the regional visual arts sector by delivering baseline exhibition touring services, professional development, and training programs across Western Australia
  • Art Gallery of Western Australia to tour artworks from the State Art Collection to galleries in regional Western Australia.
  • Regional Arts WA to increase capacity and leadership in young regional artists.

For the purposes of RACIP and RETB funding, regional WA is defined by the 9 regions.

An Aboriginal woman holding a microphone at a lake
Photo: Natalie Davey's recording as part of Sound FX, Tura's ongoing program in the Fitzroy Valley. Photo by Edify Media (October 2022)
A crowd at a music festival
Photo: Formidable Vegetable performing at Tigerville, 2023 Nannup Music Festival. Photo by Elliot Welsford — Isolated Photography (March 2023)
Performers on staging using puppets
Photo: Show Day, premiere season at the Albany Entertainment Centre. Photo by Nic Duncan (January 2023)
People in an art gallery
Photo: ‘The Alternative Archive’ opening event The exhibition showcases work by 31 contemporary artists from regional WA. Goldfields Arts Centre, Kalgoorlie. Photo by Mellen Burns (January 2023)
Page reviewed 11 June 2024
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