2026 Regional Arts Touring Program Round 2 (Australia)

Deadline: 13-Oct-2026

Create NSW is inviting individual artists, arts and cultural workers, groups and organisations to apply for the Regional Arts Touring Round 2 funding programme, which supports arts and cultural touring projects across regional New South Wales. The programme aligns with the Creative Communities policy and aims to strengthen regional communities by improving access to vibrant, diverse and innovative arts and cultural experiences. Funding can support touring projects that benefit regional NSW artists, arts and cultural workers and communities, while also creating opportunities for underrepresented artists and groups to present new work.

About the Regional Arts Touring Round 2

The Regional Arts Touring Round 2 is designed to expand access to high-quality arts and cultural experiences across regional New South Wales. The programme supports touring activities that bring productions, exhibitions and other eligible arts experiences to communities outside the location where the activity originated or where the applicant is based.

The initiative aims to:

- Provide equitable access to arts and cultural experiences across regional NSW. - Support innovative and diverse arts presentations. - Enable underrepresented artists and groups to present new work. - Increase the visibility of NSW artists and cultural workers. - Strengthen regional communities through arts and cultural activity. - Create direct benefits for regional NSW artists, cultural workers and communities. What Projects Can Be Supported? Funding is intended for arts-led touring projects that directly benefit regional NSW communities and the local arts and cultural sector. Eligible touring activities can include the presentation of a production or exhibition in a location outside where the activity originated or where the applicant resides. Projects should demonstrate a clear touring purpose and meaningful benefits for regional communities, artists and cultural workers. What Costs Are Eligible? Grant funding can contribute to a broad range of costs associated with delivering an eligible tour.

Eligible expenses include:

- Travel and accommodation. - Freighting and packing. - Food and incidental allowances. - Venue hire. - Community engagement activities. - Audience development. - Marketing and promotional activities. - First Nations Protocols. - Accessibility support. - Artist fees paid at appropriate industry rates. Applicants should ensure that the proposed budget is realistic and reflects the actual requirements of the touring project. How Much Funding Is Available? The funding limits depend on the type of applicant. Individuals and groups can apply for grants between: - $10,000 and $75,000. Organisations can apply for grants between: - $20,000 and $120,000. Create NSW does not fund 100% of tour costs. Applicants must contribute at least 10% of the tour’s income through other cash or in-kind support. Applicants should therefore demonstrate how the remaining costs of the tour will be covered. Who Is Eligible to Apply?

Eligible applicants include:

- Individual artists. - Arts and cultural workers. - Groups. - Arts and cultural organisations.

Applicants must:

- Be based in New South Wales. - Have an active Australian Business Number (ABN) or a funds administrator. - Meet the programme’s project and touring requirements. Applicants should also demonstrate that their proposed activity provides meaningful benefits to regional NSW artists, arts and cultural workers and communities. What Are the Touring Requirements? The proposed tour must meet specific timing and location requirements.

The tour must:

- Start after 1 February 2027. - Be completed by 31 January 2029. - Involve staging a production or exhibition outside the location where the activity originated or where the applicant resides. These requirements are intended to ensure that funding supports genuine touring activity and expands access to arts and cultural experiences beyond the applicant’s originating location. Who Is Not Eligible? The following applicants or activities are not eligible: - Government departments. - Schools. - Educational institutions. - Filmmaking projects. - Screen production projects. - Contemporary music projects. Applicants should ensure that their proposed project falls within the eligible arts and cultural activities supported by the programme. What Makes a Strong Touring Proposal? A competitive proposal should clearly demonstrate why the project is suitable for regional touring and how it will benefit the communities and artists involved.

Applicants should consider demonstrating:

- A clear artistic or cultural vision. - Strong benefits for regional NSW communities. - Opportunities for NSW artists and cultural workers. - Meaningful engagement with audiences. - Accessibility and inclusion. - Appropriate recognition of First Nations Protocols where relevant. - Opportunities for underrepresented artists or groups. - A realistic touring schedule. - Appropriate artist fees. - A clear marketing and audience-development strategy. - A detailed and realistic budget. - Additional cash or in-kind support contributing to tour costs. The strongest proposals should demonstrate not only where the project will tour, but also why the touring activity is valuable to regional communities. How to Prepare an Application Applicants should begin by developing a clear touring plan that explains the artistic activity, destinations, audiences and expected outcomes.

Key information to prepare includes:

- A description of the production, exhibition or arts activity. - Details of the regional NSW locations where the project will be presented. - An explanation of how the tour benefits regional communities. - Information about participating artists and cultural workers. - A touring timeline covering the eligible project period. - A detailed project budget. - Information about other cash or in-kind support. - Artist fees based on appropriate industry rates. - Community e