Creative Australia’s $12 million investment supports 246 Projects

Creative Australia’s latest investment of $12 million will support 246 projects spanning First Nations arts, literature, theatre, circus, visual arts, dance, emerging and experimental, community arts and cultural development.

This round of investment will support the creation of new works, building skills and pathways for artists, and connecting Australian stories to new audiences and markets.

The investment also includes a boost for Australian contemporary music, thanks to $1million invested through Music Australia.

Director of Arts Investment Alice Nash notes "this significant investment will help spur the creative ambitions of our nation, building skills and pathways for young people into creative industries, championing access and participation in the arts, and reflecting the many stories of contemporary Australia. We look forward to seeing the positive impact of this investment during 2025 and beyond.”

Among the highlights of the latest investment:

• Exciting projects spanning a range of genres, including comics and graphic novels (Papercuts Comics Festival, Perth Comic Festival and Comics off the Page); circus ( 'Into Space', a new contemporary circus work for families by ARC Circus Co); and musical theatre (Playwright Hilary Bell and Composer Greta Gertler Gold supported for script and score development for the musical 'Picnic at Hanging Rock').

• Nas Campanella's children's book All the Ways I Feel, made accessible for Australian children and families. The book explores how a child who is blind experiences summer.

• Garrigarrang Badu, a new work by the all-female intergenerational Jannawi Dance Clan, blending dance, music and language to strengthen community and culture.

• First Nations theatre collective A Daylight Connection to take their work A Nightime Travesty to international audiences at Kia Mau Festival, Aotearoa.

• A new contemporary dance work by Raghav Handa, Superhero, to make its international debut, bringing together dancers and musicians from Australia and India in partnership with Attakkalari Centre for Movement Arts (ACMA).

• Educational programs for young people, including fbi.radio's Soundwaves empowering emerging creatives to join the community radio and audio sector.

• Compelling visual arts projects and exhibitions, including Jemima Wyman's career solo at QUT Museum which will trace her practice across installation, video, performance, photography and painting.

• Contemporary music initiatives, backed by Music Australia, and support for artists and groups including Australian Vocal Ensemble, Phantastic Ferniture, Velvet Bloom, and the Yours and Owls Festival First Nations program.

Image. Credit: ARC Circus Co