First Nations led small to medium arts organisations are invited to submit a proposal for a one-off capacity building investment for the 2026 calendar year.

The purpose of the program is to provide small to medium First Nations arts organisations with one-off capacity building investment to assist with program and artistic delivery and/or operations to the end of 2026.

The program will support arts organisations or organisations that deliver services in support of First Nations arts and culture activity.

Organisations approved for this investment will be eligible to apply later in 2026 for a two-year investment for 2027 and 2028. This investment is designed to assist organisations build capacity in the areas of planning and program design in the lead up to the two-year investment opportunity.

Organisations can apply for $60,000.

Supported activities must take place between 1 June 2026 and 31 December 2026.

Organisations interested in applying need to contact the First Nations Arts & Culture Team FirstNationsArts@creative.gov.au or a Multi-Year Investment Manager at myi@creative.gov.au. Following a meeting you will be provided with access to the application form in our Application Management System.

Who can apply

Only organisations may apply to this category.

Organisations must:

• identify as an Australian First Nations organisation with at least 51% First Nations board representation
• demonstrate a history of working and supporting Australian artists and/or arts workers who identify as Australian First Nations
• be based in Australia
• only submit one application to this grant initiative
• adhere to First Nations Cultural Protocols and include any relevant documentation in the application.

Who can't apply

You can't apply for a grant if:

• you have an overdue grant report
• you owe money to Creative Australia
• you are an individual or group
• you receive multi-year investment in the years 2025 to 2028 through other Creative Australia multi-year programs.

• Email: FirstNationsArts@creative.gov.au