Apply Now: Creative Industries Travel and Trade Program (Australia)

Deadline: 03-Dec-2026

The Creative Industries Travel and Trade Program supports Western Australian artists, arts workers, groups, and small creative businesses pursuing strategic regional, national, or international opportunities. Eligible applicants can receive up to $5,000 for regional and national activities or up to $10,000 for international opportunities, primarily covering eligible travel-related expenses.

About the Creative Industries Travel and Trade Program

The program supports travel that helps Western Australian creative professionals develop their practices, reach wider audiences, enter new markets, and pursue commercial opportunities. It contributes to the Western Australian Government’s vision for a strong and diversified economy by promoting the State’s creative industries and sharing Western Australian stories with broader audiences. The program is designed to support eligible applicants at different stages of their creative careers and business development. Purpose of the Program The Creative Industries Travel and Trade Program aims to: - Enable participation in outstanding and strategic opportunities. - Strengthen professional creative practice. - Develop workforce skills and capabilities. - Support creative-business growth. - Expand regional, national, and international markets. - Create commercial opportunities. - Promote Western Australian artists and creative businesses. - Showcase Western Australia’s identity. - Share Western Australian stories with new audiences. - Build professional networks and partnerships. - Increase the visibility of Western Australia’s creative sector. Funding Information

Applicants may request:

- Up to $5,000 for regional opportunities. - Up to $5,000 for national opportunities. - Up to $10,000 for international opportunities. The amount requested should be proportionate to the activity, travel requirements, expected professional benefits, and available applicant or partner contributions. Applicants should consult the official guidelines for any minimum request, co-contribution requirement, project timing, or restrictions on eligible expenses. Regional Opportunities Regional opportunities involve eligible travel within Western Australia.

They may include:

- Regional exhibitions. - Performances. - Festivals. - Touring opportunities. - Professional-development programs. - Workshops or masterclasses. - Creative residencies. - Industry events. - Trade activities. - Market-development meetings. - Collaborations with regional communities. - Business-development opportunities. Applicants should explain why travel is necessary and how the activity will contribute to their professional or commercial development. National Opportunities National opportunities involve travel to other Australian states or territories.

Potential activities may include:

- Presenting work at a national festival. - Participating in an exhibition or performance. - Attending an important industry conference. - Undertaking specialised professional development. - Meeting distributors, publishers, buyers, or presenters. - Participating in a trade fair. - Developing interstate partnerships. - Pursuing national touring opportunities. - Engaging in strategic market development. - Showcasing creative products or services. A strong proposal should demonstrate that the national opportunity is timely, credible, and relevant to the applicant’s goals. International Opportunities International activities may receive funding of up to $10,000.

Eligible opportunities may include:

- International festivals. - Overseas exhibitions or performances. - Global trade fairs. - International markets and showcases. - Creative residencies. - Professional-development programs. - Meetings with international buyers or distributors. - International touring development. - Cross-border collaborations. - Export and market-development activities. - Invitations from recognised international institutions. Applicants should demonstrate that the international opportunity offers benefits not readily available in Western Australia or elsewhere in Australia. Who Is Eligible? Applicants must be based in Western Australia and may apply as: - Individual artists. - Individual arts workers. - Creative professionals. - Groups. - Small creative businesses.

Individual applicants must be:

- Australian citizens; or - Australian permanent residents. Groups and small creative businesses must be based in Western Australia and satisfy any additional legal, financial, or operational requirements stated in the official guidelines. Potential Creative Sectors Eligible applicants may work across a range of creative industries, subject to the official program rules.

These may include:

- Visual arts. - Performing arts. - Music. - Dance. - Theatre. - Literature. - Publishing. - Design. - Fashion. - Film and screen. - Digital media. - Craft. - Photography. - Multidisciplinary practice. - Cultural and creative production. - Other eligible creative fields. Applicants should confirm that their practice or business falls within the program’s definition of the creative industries. What Is a Strategic Opportunity? A strategic opportunity is a credible activity that directly supports the applicant’s professional, artistic, or commercial goals.

A strong opportunity should:

- Have a clear connection to the applicant’s career or business plan. - Be confirmed or supported by an invitation. - Offer access to new audiences or markets. - Develop skills unavailable locally. - Build valuable professional relationships. - Increase visibility or recognition. - Create realistic future opportunities. - Contribute to long-term growth. - Benefit Western Australia’s creative sector or reputation. General travel without a defined professional purpose is unlikely to demonstrate sufficient strategic value. Professional Practice and Skills Development The program can help creative professionals improve their knowledge, technical skills, artistic methods, leadership