Arts Minister Michael Pettersson with Strathnairn Arts director James Holland and Strathnairn Arts board chair Trevor Heldt. Photo: Ian Bushnell.
For years, Canberra’s arts organisations have been juggling rising power bills, maintenance costs and growing overheads while trying to keep galleries open, theatres running and artists employed.
Now, a major funding boost from the ACT Government is giving many the confidence to shift their focus from survival to growth.
The ACT Government has announced almost $21.5 million in multi-year funding through its Arts Organisation Investment Program, with 29 local arts organisations sharing in a 25 per cent increase promised in the 2026-27 Budget.
The investment spans theatre, dance, music, visual arts and community arts, with three organisations receiving support through the Emerging Arts Organisation stream for the first time.
Among the biggest beneficiaries is Tuggeranong Community Arts Association, which will receive $1.27 million to continue operating Tuggeranong Arts Centre and expand arts opportunities across Canberra’s south.
For chief executive officer Caroline Downer, the funding provides something arts organisations have struggled to achieve in recent years — certainty.
“We are fortunate to have had increased funding to the Centre which will make a huge difference to our sustainability and to how we can deliver great arts experiences for our community,” she told Region.
The additional funding comes after several years in which operating costs rose much faster than government support.
“It is very significant. Operating costs just in terms of utilities, maintenance etc have risen sharply in the last couple of years and our previous funding was not keeping pace,” Ms Downer said.
“This increase will allow TAC to be sustainable, to be able to cover the basic operational costs so that we now have the means to fully program our spaces, pay artists and arts workers, and celebrate this amazing community resource.”
Instead of directing much of its attention to simply covering day-to-day costs, the centre is now looking to expand its reach.
“We are looking specifically at how we can grow our theatre audiences,” Ms Downer said.
“But in general, there will be more opportunities for artists, but also more opportunities for our community to engage with our centre.”
Across Canberra, the funding will support organisations working across a broad range of creative disciplines.
The Stagemaster Inc will receive $1.325 million to support professional theatre productions, new work development and artist engagement through The Street Theatre.
Australian Dance Party will receive $150,000 to continue contemporary dance creation, artist development and community engagement.
Arts, Creative Industries and Night-Time Economy Minister Michael Pettersson said the funding delivered on Labor’s election commitment to strengthen Canberra’s arts sector.
“Our local arts organisations give life and colour to our city,” Mr Pettersson said.
“They support local jobs and artist development, and give Canberrans more opportunities to experience and participate in the arts.”
He said the funding would also broaden the organisations supported through the program, with Mill Theatre among the organisations joining the investment stream for the first time.
Mill Theatre creative producer Lexi Sekuless described the funding as transformational.
“Joining the Arts Organisation Funding program is a career milestone,” she said.
“It provides the opportunity to think long term rather than short term, adding a level of sustainability that is truly game-changing.”
The Arts Organisation Investment Program provides competitive, multi-year funding to organisations delivering programs for artists, audiences and communities across the ACT.
For many organisations, however, the biggest change may not be the dollar figure itself.
After years of stretching every grant to cover rising costs, they say the funding finally allows them to look beyond staying afloat and start planning for what’s next.
