Country Arts SA pays respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and recognises their continuing connection and spiritual relationship to these lands, waters and skies. We are committed to listening and helping care for Country, and to safeguard, share and celebrate First Nations’ living cultures.
Project Grants 2026 Round One – Open 2 February 2026
The next Project Grant round opens 9.00am (ACST), Monday 2 February 2026 and closes 11.29pm (ACST), Monday 16 March 2026. You will be notified three months from the closing date of the round*. The activity will commence no earlier than Monday 1 July 2026.
*Please note this is an indicative time frame only and is subject to change based on the advice of the Australian Government.
Who can apply?
To be eligible you must:
- be an individual/sole trader, Australian incorporated organisation or local government organisation with an active Australian Business Number (ABN) registered to a regional South Australian location
- not have any outstanding reports, acquittals or serious breaches relating to any Australian Government funding
- not be based in metropolitan South Australia
Please ensure you satisfy all the eligibility criteria. If you are unsure, contact a member of the Country Arts SA team.
Please refer to the Guidelines for a full list of eligibility criteria.
How much can I apply for?
You can apply for Project Grants of up to $30,000. There is no minimum grant amount
What can I apply for?
Project grants fund high-quality projects benefitting regional or remote artists, arts workers, audiences and communities. Focus of the project can include any area of creative practice, multiple artforms or cross-disciplinary practice.
Project Grant funds may be spent on:
- Artist Fees
- Travel costs (including international)
- Materials
- Venue Hire
- Equipment Hire
- Insurance
- Project administration costs
- Disability access costs
Please check with a Country Arts SA Grants officer for eligibility of other expenditure not listed here.
Project Grant money cannot be spent on:
- Touring projects from major cities such as tours of performances and exhibitions
- Curriculum based activities including for primary, secondary or tertiary courses
- Competitions, prizes or awards
- Ongoing activities of collecting institutions
- A project principally benefitting a major city or metropolitan location
- A funded activity that will commence before funding is approved
Please refer to the Guidelines for a full list of eligibility and assessment criteria.
Assessment
Funding applications are assessed against other applications on a competitive basis. To remain competitive, all applications for funding must include realistic budgets and represent value with money. Outcomes are generally advised within three months of the closing date of the funding round.
Please refer to the Guidelines for a full list of eligibility and assessment criteria.
Grant Opening and Closing Dates
Round Two 2025/26: Opens 2 February 2026 and closes 16 March 2026.
How to Apply
1. Read the Guidelines thoroughly.
2. Email [email protected] or contact a member of the Country Arts SA team to discuss your application.
3. Apply online via Smarty Grants. Applications will open at 9:00am on Monday 2 February 2026.
The Regional Arts Fund is part of the Australian Government’s Arts and Cultural Development Program that supports participation in, and access to, Australia’s arts and culture through developing and supporting cultural expression. The Regional Arts Fund is managed by Regional Arts Australia on behalf of the Australian Government, (Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts) and managed in South Australia by Country Arts SA.
