Major funding boost for CinefestOZ and Western Australian regional arts organisations

Organisations delivering regional arts programs will share in more than $500,000 of additional Western Australian Government funding to address the rising costs of delivering arts activities.

The one-off boost is for the CinefestOZ film festival and the Regional Arts Sector Investment (RASI) organisations.

These organisations are supported through the Regional Arts and Cultural Investment Program (RACIP), a State Government program that supports sustainable arts in regional WA.

CinefestOZ delivers their annual film festival in the South West bringing together local, national and international artists, storytellers and audiences to showcase the State's talented film-makers and picturesque locations for film productions. The festival develops regional screen culture, and the industry program builds local capacity through workshops, panels and online sessions.

The RASI program is delivered by Regional Arts WA. The RASI program funds 17 regionally based arts organisations who were determined through a competitive grant process in 2024. The organisations deliver diverse, challenging and exciting arts and cultural experiences for their communities.

The RASI organisations contribute to the cultural and economic diversity in the regions through the employment of professional regional artists and arts workers. They are the local champions of the arts and the key to ensuring our regions remain vibrant and connected places to live.

RACIP is provided through the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries with funding from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

Additional Funding for CinefestOZ and RASI organisations

South West

• Nannup Music Club Inc - $22,750

• Southern Forest Arts - $22,750

• Arts Margaret River Inc - $17,500

• CinefestOZ (Geographe French Australian Festivals Incorporated) - $170,750

Goldfields-Esperance

• Warburton Community Inc T/A Wilurarra Creative - $22,750

• Ravensthorpe Regional Arts Council- $17,500

• The Cannery Arts Centre Inc- $17,500

• Esperance Community Arts (Inc) - $15,000

Kimberley

• Kimberley Arts Network - $17,500

Wheatbelt

• Arts Narrogin Incorporated - $24,000

• Gardiner Street Arts Collective - $15,000

• Wheatbelt Arts & Events Inc - $15,000

Mid West

• Mara Arts Aboriginal Corporation - T/A Yamaji Art - $21,000

Great Southern

• Southern Edge Arts Incorporated - $21,000

• Denmark Arts Inc - $15,000

• ArtSouthWA Inc - $9,000

Gascoyne

• Gascoyne in May Inc t/a 'Creality' - $21,000

Pilbara

• The Junction Co. - $15,000

RASI delivery

• Regional Arts WA - $20,000