The Regional Arts Fund VIC 2026 Project Grants are now accepting applications from eligible individuals, organisations and communities seeking funding for high-quality arts projects benefiting regional and remote artists, arts workers, audiences and communities in Victoria. Applications close at 12:00am on 12 August 2026 (AEST). Eligible projects can cover a broad range of creative practices, art forms and cross-disciplinary activities.
Background & Grant Description
The Regional Arts Fund (RAF) VIC 2026 Project Grants provide financial support for arts projects that benefit regional and remote communities across Victoria.
The program is administered through Regional Arts Australia and is intended to support high-quality projects involving regional or remote artists, arts workers, audiences and communities.
Projects may focus on any area of creative practice, involve multiple art forms or use a cross-disciplinary approach. This makes the opportunity relevant to a broad range of creative and community-based arts initiatives.
Applicants should carefully review the Regional Arts Fund Grants Guidelines and Eligibility Notes before beginning their application, as these documents contain the detailed requirements relating to eligible applicants, activities, expenses and assessment criteria.
The current round is accepting submissions, with applications closing at 12:00am on 12 August 2026 (AEST).
Tasks
Successful applicants will use the grant funding to deliver eligible arts projects that provide benefits to regional and remote communities.
Potential project activities may involve:
- Creative practice and artistic development.
- Projects involving one or multiple art forms.
- Cross-disciplinary arts initiatives.
- Activities benefiting regional artists.
- Opportunities for arts workers.
- Projects engaging regional audiences.
- Community-focused arts activities.
The source does not specify individual eligible project activities beyond stating that Project Grants support high-quality arts projects benefiting regional or remote artists, arts workers, audiences and communities.
Applicants should therefore refer to the official Regional Arts Fund guidelines when determining whether specific activities and expenses are eligible.
Qualifications
Education and Certification
The opportunity is not presented as an academic scholarship and does not specify particular educational qualifications.
Eligible applicants must fall into one of the following categories:
- Individuals
- Australian incorporated organisations
- Companies limited by guarantee
- Local government organisations
Unincorporated groups may also apply when they are auspiced by an eligible organisation.
Individuals under 18 can apply if they are auspiced by an individual aged 18 or older who has an active ABN.
Schools can apply only when they are located in a very remote area classified as MM7 under the Modified Monash Model.
Experience
The grant information does not specify a particular level of professional arts experience.
However, applicants must satisfy the program’s location and applicant eligibility requirements.
A key requirement is having an active Australian Business Number (ABN) registered to the applicant’s name and location. The ABN supplied in the application must match the applicant’s name and current address.
Applicants should ensure their ABN information is up to date through the Australian Business Register before applying.
Additional Information
Location Eligibility
The Regional Arts Fund is specifically designed for regional and remote communities. Individuals or organisations based in metropolitan locations are not eligible to apply directly.
However, metropolitan organisations or individuals can partner with a regional organisation or community to deliver a project. In such cases, the regional organisation or community should submit the application.
The program uses the Modified Monash Model (MMM) to determine whether an applicant is located in an eligible area.
Locations classified from MM2 through MM7 are eligible under the Regional Arts Fund.
Applicants are advised to use the Australian Government’s Health Workforce Locator to check their location classification. The primary address entered must be a physical address rather than a PO Box or postal address.
Application Requirements
Before applying, applicants should:
- Check whether their location falls within the eligible MM2–MM7 classifications.
- Confirm that they meet the applicant-type requirements.
- Confirm that their proposed project is eligible.
- Ensure their ABN is active and correctly registered.
- Review the Regional Arts Fund Grants Guidelines and Eligibility Notes.
- Contact the relevant Regional Program Administrator before submitting an application.
Regional Arts Australia strongly recommends contacting the relevant Regional Program Administrator to discuss the proposed project before submitting an application.
Application Deadline
Deadline: 12:00am, 12 August 2026 (AEST)
Applications are submitted through the Regional Arts Australia grant application system.
Applicants should allow sufficient time to prepare their proposal and supporting information because the organisation notes that grant applications can require significant time and effort.
The current round is titled RAF: VIC 2026-08 Project Grants.
Important Eligibility Point
The opportunity is specifically intended for eligible regional and remote applicants. Being located in Victoria alone does not automatically make an applicant eligible. The applicant’s location must meet the relevant Modified Monash Model classification, and the applicant must satisfy the program’s ABN and applicant-type requirements.
Applicants who are unsure about their eligibility should contact the relevant Regional Arts Fund Program Administrator before submitting their application.
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