CIRCUSWA among Western Australian Arts Organisations to share in $56 million

Western Australia’s Arts Organisations Investment Program will see 37 not-for-profit organisations across metropolitan Perth, South-West, Mid-West and Kimberley regions share in $56 million over four years in a record-breaking round. Funding for AOIP is up from $10.5 million per annum to $14 million per annum.

Exciting new entrants to the program include a regional arts centre and theatre, circus performance organisation, and cultural experience and storytelling projects

Six new entrants including a regional arts centre and theatre and circus performance organisation are among 37 successful applicants in this competitive funding program, and will receive money distributed from the financial years 2023/24 to 2026/27, the entrants include:

• Fremantle Biennale;

• Centre for Stories;

• Mundaring Arts Centre;

• North Midlands Projects Inc;

• CIRCUSWA; and

• Theatre Kimberley Inc.

The AOIP has delivered more than $82 million in assistance since it was established in 2016. Funding is awarded to small to medium organisations that:

• create and present high quality, best of its type arts, cultural and creative experiences;

• create work that is original, innovative and authentic that respects cultural tradition, or promotes social awareness and cohesion;

• broaden and deepen community access and engagement in arts, cultural and creative experiences;

• reflect the diversity of the State through telling Western Australian stories;

• have strong connections with, and presence in, communities increasing the reach, depth and diversity of audience engagement;

• collaborate with others to create new sustainable ways of working together; and

• leverage opportunities and funding from a range of sources and partners to develop and operate in a financially, environmentally and socially sustainable way.

Applications to AOIP are assessed by an independent advisory panel of highly skilled and experienced WA arts, culture, and creativity sector members, including a First Nations voice.

WA Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman congratulated the 37 not-for-profit organisations and added "the AOIP aims to build a strong WA art, cultural and creative sector to support and promote the vibrancy of our State and to ensure this is celebrated locally, nationally, and internationally.

"It was an extremely competitive round but I'm delighted to see six brand new entrants in the mix - Fremantle Biennale, Centre for Stories, Mundaring Arts Centre, North Midlands Project, CIRCUSWA and Theatre Kimberley."

AOIP is administered by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) and more information is available on the DLGSC website

The next AOIP round will be from 2027 to 2031, with applications due to open in early August 2026.

For organisations not successful in securing funding during the most recent and extremely competitive round of AOIP, other funding streams are available through application.

Full list of recipients in alphabetical order (amount is per annum for Year 1)

1.    Aboriginal Art Centre Hub of Western Australia - $300,000

2.    Artrage (FRINGE WORLD, Rooftop Projects, regional touring) - $350,000

3.    AWESOME Arts (Festival, Creative Learning programs) - $354,000

4.    Barking Gecko Theatre Company - $600,000

5.    Centre for Stories - $280,000

6.    CircuitWest - $350,000

7.    CIRCUSWA - $100,000

8.    Bunbury Regional Art Gallery - $170,000

9.    Geraldton Regional Art Gallery  - $170,000

10.  Community Arts Network Western Australia - $520,000

11.  DADAA - $180,000

12.  FORM Building a State of Creativity (based in Claremont) - $400,000

13.  Fremantle Arts Centre - $800,000

14.  Fremantle Biennale - $400,000

15.  Fremantle Press - $395,000

16.  Kimberley Aboriginal Law and Culture Centre (based in Fitzroy Crossing) - $150,000

17.  Magabala Books - $450,000

18.  Mundaring Arts Centre - $280,000

19.  National Exhibitions Touring Structure (ART ON THE MOVE) - $600,000

20.  North Midlands Project - $170,000

21.  Performing Arts Centre Society (Blue Room Theatre) - $425,000

22.  Performing Lines Limited (in Perth) - $420,000

23.  Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts - $890,000

24.  Perth Symphony Orchestra - $150,000

25.  Regional Arts WA - $623,600

26.  Sensorium Theatre - $300,000

27.  Spare Parts Puppet Theatre - $473,000

28.  STRUT Dance (at King Street Arts Centre) - $330,000

29.  The Contemporary Dance Company of Western Australia Co3 - $700,000

30.  The Last Great Hunt - $400,000

31.  The Literature Centre (in Fremantle) - $120,000

32.  Theatre Kimberley (in Broome) - $100,000

33.  Tura New Music (Subiaco) - $380,000

34.  West Australian Youth Jazz Orchestra - $180,000

35.  WA Youth Theatre - $201,600

36.  Western Australian Youth Orchestra - $200,000

37.  Yirra Yaakin - $500,000

Image top. Credit: CIRCUSWA; Image above. Big Country Puppets project in Kupungarri Community. Credit: Theatre Kimberley