Media Release
19 November 2025
Banner: Downsyde and Kyle Barlett on stage performing at the Nannup Music Festival 2025. Photo: Ivan Tolj.
Western Australia’s creativity showcased through Regional Arts Fund investment
Ten regional arts and culture projects will receive a total investment of $229,075.99 through the Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund, managed by Regional Arts Australia and administered in Western Australia by Regional Arts WA.
The latest Regional Arts Fund Project Grant round attracted a diverse array of applications from across Western Australia. The round achieved a balanced distribution of support, with five individual artists and five organisations receiving funding from a competitive pool of 10 individual and 18 organisational applicants.
Australian Government Minister for the Arts, the Hon Tony Burke MP said, “Where you live, shouldn’t dictate your level of involvement within Australia’s art sector. This funding will create over 850 jobs for regional artists and arts workers across Australia
“From Mullumbimby, to Emerald, Warrnambool and Rapid Creek, audiences will get to experience some incredible projects across a range of different mediums.
“We know there’s a story for every place and a place for every story and this funding only further supports that.”
The geographical footprint of this funding round speaks volumes about the Fund’s commitment to regional diversity. Seven of Western Australia’s nine regions will benefit, with projects distributed across the South West and Kimberley, the Great Southern, Wheatbelt, Gascoyne, and Peel regions. Projects such as Chloe Flockart’s environmentally-focused Glass Reef exhibition, the City of Busselton’s landmark theatre production Busstop – developed in collaboration with the local Wardandi community, and Martine Perret’s Saltwater Women – a multimedia project championing the stories of women across the Midwest, demonstrate the depth and vibrancy of regional artistic expression.
Reflecting the Fund’s accessibility and support of emerging talent, two first-time applicants were successful in this round. Notably, one of these projects was among two music initiatives that will enable Gascoyne-based bands to tour, bringing greater visibility to artists from this region.
The Assessment Panel commended the artistic breadth of the projects supported, noting the range of creative expression emerging from Western Australian regional communities.
Regional Arts WA CEO Dr. Pilar Kasat said, “This funding round showcases the remarkable diversity of artistic practice coming out of regional Western Australia. From visual arts to theatre, music to cross-disciplinary works, these projects represent the talent and creative expression that contributes to regional communities’ cultural vitality.”
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About the Regional Arts Fund
The Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund supports sustainable cultural development in regional and remote communities. This program is managed by Regional Arts Australia and administered in Western Australia by Regional Arts WA. The program provides funding for grants, including quick response and project grants, professional development for artists and arts workers, and community capacity building projects. www.arts.gov.au/funding-and-support/regional-arts-fund
The projects which have received funding this round are:
Chloe Flockart (Wheatbelt) | $24,356.97 | Glass Reef: Overseas professional development opportunity and presentation of first solo exhibition
Central Wheatbelt and South West artist Chloe Flockart will be mentored by renowned Irish glass artist Andrea Spencer to develop Glass Reef, her first solo exhibition in Busselton. Using recycled glass to create sculptural reef structures, Chloe will explore WA’s fragile coral ecosystems. Supported by the City of Busselton, the exhibition will showcase innovative, environmentally-focused glasswork in a regional cultural precinct.
City of Busselton (South West) | $30,000 | Busstop Theatre Production
Busstop is a landmark theatre production developed with the Wardandi community, sharing their living history on stage for the first time. Premiering in March 2026, it features acclaimed Noongar artists Lynette Narkle and Kelton Pell. As it enters its performance phase, Busstop focuses on empowering regional artists through mentorships, technical training, and collaborative learning that will build long-term creative capacity, shaping the future of theatre in Southwest WA.
Daniel Christensen (Gascoyne) | $18,626.16 | Bluebone Tour of the South West WA
Exmouth band, Bluebone, will embark on a 10-show regional Southwest tour in February 2026 to promote their album of original music, Of Water and Dust. The tour includes two DIY music production workshops in Margaret River, supporting regional arts development and career growth through exposure, networking, and skill-sharing in minimalistic, high-quality music creation.
Denmark Arts (Great Southern) | $29,983 | #32 Brave New Works Festival 2026
Brave New Works (BNW) is WA’s only experimental community arts festival, running for 32 years. Held annually in March in Denmark, it will support regional artists through 40+ activities and 300 participants in 2026. BNW alternates in size to sustain two back-to-back festivals, vital for artist income, local economy, and town identity.
Goolarri Media Enterprises (Kimberley) | $30,000 | Because We’re Blak Theatre Play
Because We’re Blak (BWB) is a bold new play by Nyul Nyul playwright Melody Dia, directed by Rachael Maza for Ilbijerri Theatre Company. Developed entirely in Broome, this ‘blak dramedy’ blends AV, sound, and visuals with a portable set. Premiering May 27, 2026 at Gimme venue, BWB features a majority First Nations team, and will tour to Fitzroy Crossing and Derby with performances and forums.
Heloise Roberts (SouthWest) | $3,000 | Between the Capes
Collaborative artists Heloise Roberts and Moira Fearby present Between Two Capes at the 2026 South West Biennial. Comprising 144 painted plywood tiles, the large-scale work links Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin. Using enamel and conte chalk, it explores memory, perception, and place. Selected for its regional significance, the installation deepens the artists’ acclaimed narrative and material practice.
Martine Perret (South West) | $29,039.86 | Saltwater Women of the Mid West
Saltwater Women is a multimedia exhibition sharing stories of ten women from Midwest coastal towns, highlighting their deep ties to the sea. It includes mentorship for Indigenous artist Nicole Dickerson and a Shine Emerging Women student, guided by Martine Perret. Hosted by the Museum of Geraldton in June/July 2027, it fosters regional creative growth and Indigenous representation.
Kimberley Arts Network (Kimberley) | $28,630 | KAN Ceramics Studio Establishment
The Kimberley Arts Network (KAN) will establish a Ceramics Studio Program to deliver high-quality, locally accessible ceramics experiences, while creating meaningful employment and creative development opportunities for regional arts workers. Delivered by the Kimberley’s only community-led arts organisation, this project will strengthen local partnerships and connect established ceramic artists, beginners and community members, including those facing barriers to arts participation.
Matthew Johnson (Peel) | $5,686 | Sundown Nannup Festival Performance
Gascoyne-based band Sundown will travel to and perform at the 2026 Nannup Music Festival.
Waringarri Arts Aboriginal Corporation (Kimberley) | $29,754 | Gelengajbenga-Woorr – Next Generations Project – Learning All Kinds of New Things
The Gelengajbenga-Woorr Project supports emerging artists at Waringarri Aboriginal Arts through cultural activities, creative workshops, and career development. The Learning All Kinds of New Things initiative offers dynamic workshops to engage and empower new and young artists in creative exploration.
Melannie Lai
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