The Commonwealth Government has launched a $5 million Regional Arts Fund Cultural Tourism Accelerator program to develop and promote arts and cultural events for tourists across regional Australia.

Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, Paul Fletcher, said the program would support regional artists, arts workers and organisations to develop new events, programs and performance opportunities. “The arts and cultural sector is a key contributor to the prosperity of Australia’s regional economy and will play a strong role in bringing tourists back to the regions,” Mr Fletcher said. Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Dan Tehan, said the program would be critical to boosting local economies through cultural tourism. “Promoting arts and cultural events across our regions will support jobs and businesses in tourism, hospitality, accommodation, and retail – providing a major uplift to regional communities and their local economies,” Mr Tehan said.

The Cultural Tourism Accelerator Program aims to:
Support place-based programs to increase visitation
Build consumer confidence and activate engagement
Drive engagement across communities and between regions
Support sector-led responses.

What Grants are available?

Flash Marketing Campaign $2,500
A competitive quick response grant for upcoming projects to extend digital or grassroots marketing into a new visitor market.

Targeted Marketing Campaign $10,000
A strategic and targeted marketing campaign to achieve a particular visitation outcome. The campaign will accompany an existing project, event, festival, venue or annual program.

Experience Initiative $10,000
An initiative that adds an offer or experience to an existing program, to increase visitation or extend the visitor experience of ‘place’.

Partnership Initiative $15,000
An initiative that develops a partnership with hospitality, accommodation, retail or events businesses to increase visitation and develop cross markets.
All projects must be complete and acquitted by 31 October 2022.

For more information click here