Young People: First Nations Arts and Culture Project Fund in Australia

Deadline: 15-Sep-26

The Young People: First Nations Arts and Culture Project Fund supports Australian First Nations artists and arts workers aged 18 to 35 to develop their creative practice, strengthen professional skills, and advance their careers. Successful applicants can receive $10,000 to $20,000 AUD for eligible creative and professional development projects beginning from February 2027 and completed within 12 months.

About the Young People: First Nations Arts and Culture Project Fund

The fund is designed to support the artistic and professional development of young First Nations creatives across Australia. It aims to strengthen cultural expression, build career pathways, and increase participation in the arts, cultural sectors, and creative industries. The program supports projects across a broad range of art forms, except screen and film. Funding can help applicants develop new work, gain professional experience, collaborate with other artists, reach new audiences, and build sustainable creative careers. What Does the Fund Support? Supported projects may combine creative development with professional development, cultural practice, audience engagement, or career-building activities. Projects should demonstrate how the proposed activities will contribute to the applicant’s creative practice, career development, skills, cultural expression, or professional opportunities. Funding Amount Successful applicants can request between $10,000 and $20,000 AUD. The funding can be used for eligible project expenses connected directly to the proposed artistic or professional development activities.

Projects must:

Begin from February 2027 Be completed within 12 months of the proposed start date Clearly demonstrate the purpose and outcomes of the proposed activities Applicants should develop a realistic budget that explains how the requested funding will be used. Who Is Eligible? The fund is specifically intended for Australian First Nations artists and arts and culture workers aged 18 to 35.

Applicants must:

Be an Australian First Nations person Be aged 18 to 35 years Live in Australia Work as an artist or arts and culture worker Propose an eligible project within the supported art forms Complete the project within 12 months of its proposed start date An Australian Business Number (ABN) is encouraged but is not mandatory. Applicants without an ABN may arrange for an eligible organisation to administer the grant on their behalf. Who Is Not Eligible? The program does not accept applications from: Groups Organisations Managers Agents Applicants who do not meet the First Nations eligibility requirements Applicants outside the specified age range Applicants who are not living in Australia Projects involving screen or film Only individual applicants can apply directly. Each individual is permitted to submit one application for this initiative. What Types of Art Are Supported? The fund supports First Nations creative practice across a broad range of art forms. Explain how the project contributes to your creative practice and, where relevant, supports First Nations storytelling, cultural expression, knowledge, or community engagement.

Step 5: Submit One Application

Only one application may be submitted by each individual for this initiative. Applicants should ensure that their final submission clearly demonstrates eligibility, project relevance, budget requirements, and expected outcomes. How the Fund Can Help Young First Nations Creatives The program can provide more than project funding. It is designed to help young First Nations creatives build long-term professional capacity and sustainable careers. This makes the opportunity particularly relevant to emerging artists seeking to move from early creative development toward greater professional recognition and participation in the creative industries. Important Application Tips Applicants should keep the following points in mind:

Show a clear career benefit: Explain exactly how the project will advance your artistic or professional practice.

Make the project achievable: Ensure the activities can realistically be completed within 12 months.

Use a realistic budget: Connect each major expense directly to the proposed project.

Check the art-form requirements: Screen and film activities are excluded.

Apply as an individual: Organisations, managers, agents, and groups cannot apply directly.

Check the age requirement: Applicants must be between 18 and 35 years old.

Submit only once: Each individual is limited to one application.

Explain your outcomes: Describe what you will create, learn, develop, or achieve.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Young People: First Nations Arts and Culture Project Fund?

It is a funding opportunity for Australian First Nations artists and arts and culture workers aged 18 to 35. The fund supports creative practice, professional development, career advancement, and cultural participation across eligible art forms. How much funding can applicants receive? Applicants can request between $10,000 and $20,000 AUD for an eligible project. Who can apply for the fund? Australian First Nations artists and arts and culture workers aged 18 to 35 who are living in Australia can apply. Applications are limited to individuals. Can organisations or groups apply? No. The fund is designed for individual applicants. Groups, organisations, managers, and agents are not eligible to apply directly. Are screen and film projects eligible? No. Screen and film projects are excluded from this funding opportunity. Applicants should ensure that their proposed project falls within another eligible art form. When must funded projects begin? Projects must commence from February 2027 and must be completed within 12 months of the proposed start date. Do applicants need an Australian Business Number? An ABN is encouraged but is not mandatory. Applicants without an ABN may have an eligible organisation administer the grant on their behalf. Conclusion The Young