News & MediaTNA STUFF
18 Aug – Salary Survey 2025
Our Salary Survey is still open for small to medium arts organisations. The report from our biennial Salary Survey provides benchmarking and captures the salaries, benefits, professional development budgets, and tenure of the performing arts sector. To get the best insights, we need as many orgs as possible to take it.
28 Aug – Brisbane Dance Sector Gathering
Dance Makers Collective and GUTS Dance, in partnership with TNA, are hosting an
in-person Brisbane dance sector gathering on Sept 4. This is the fourth in a series of gatherings we are convening around the country to bring independents and orgs in the sector together. We will be discussing recommendations in the Independent Dance Sector Report in a Brisbane context. Register by Aug 28.
ASSITEJ Advisory Group EOIs
TNA’s ASSITEJ Advisory is a group that meet online 3-4 times per year to discuss and advise on issues relating to advocacy for Children, Young People, and the Arts in Australia. TNA is seeking people who can contribute their ideas, energy, and experience to the Advisory Group.
Listen to August’s ‘Behind the Scenes’
The TNA member of the month is our new CEO, Amrit Gill! Amrit chats to Chris about her journey in the sector, and what draws her to TNA. ‘I see the role of facilitation as something I’m most drawn to. How can I be the person in the background that helps?’
NATIONAL STUFF
7 Aug – Scene Shift Residency (NSW)
The Cad Factory in Narrandera and Brand X in Sydney are hosting an urban/rural exchange. The Residency gives a regional artist studio space in Sydney. A Sydney artist studio space in rural NSW. Artists receive a $4,000 fee, $1,600 in per diems, and up to $800 for travel.
8 Aug – in³ INITIATE with Jiri Pokorny in November (WA)
Two-week intensive for professional artists working in dance, circus, or physical theatre. Led by Jiří Pokorný. Drawing on Jiří’s experience in Europe, with Netherlands Dans Theatre and Crystal Pite. $900 for the two weeks; applications for a bursary close in Aug.
9 Aug & 30–31 Aug – Force Majeure Workshops (NSW & VIC)
In NSW: Consent & Boundaries workshop on navigating consent, boundaries and intimacy in theatre-making. In VIC: INCITE two-day masterclass on devising and movement-based theatre. Cost: $175–195.
11 Aug – Contemporary Asian Australian Performance Longhouse (NSW)
How do we build an independent theatre scene that is sustainable and safe for artists? CAAP Artistic Director Tessa Leong in conversation with Nicole Pingon, Janine Lau and Zainab Syed. Cost: $15.
13 Aug–10 Sept – Encounter Theatre Expressive Writers Group (WA)
Informal weekly sessions on dramatic writing, led by playwright Barbara Hostalek. $12 for a single session.
15 Aug – Regional Arts Fund
Up to $30,000 for projects across Australia that support regional or remote artists, arts workers, audiences and communities.
15 Aug – The Westpac Board Observer Program EOIs
For not-for-profit organisations to invite senior corporate professionals to attend their board meetings. Observers bring experience in finance, risk management, business strategy, and more.
19 Aug – Creative Australia International Travel Fund
Funding for artists and organisations to go to important market development events abroad. Priority will be given to applications supporting travel to Yokohama Performing Arts Meeting 2025, the International Society for the Performing Arts Congress in Singapore, and Hong Kong Performing Arts Expo 2026.
20 Aug – THRIVE Sydney x Creative Plus Business: Financial Fitness (NSW)
THRIVE Sydney is a program of free events, networking and mentoring for Sydney’s creative community. August’s session is on financial management.
20 Aug – National Multicultural Festival 2026 (ACT)
Funding for culturally diverse community-led performances and workshops to take part in ACT’s Multicultural Festival.
20 Aug – 29th International Festival of Alternative Theatrical Expression (FAKI)
For artists and researchers to present at FAKI 2026 in Zagreb, Croatia. The theme is poetics and the politics of failure. The festival will cover travel costs up to 200 EUR for individuals and 500 EUR for groups. Accommodation and basic technical and dramaturgical support provided.
22 Aug – Pitch New Works ISPA 2026 New York Congress
Present new work to a delegation of global performing arts industry professionals. There is a non-refundable registration fee of $50 USD.
24 Aug – Blakdance First Nations Creative Pathways (QLD)
Free nine-month program for First Nations creatives in QLD. Build a career in the performing arts. Includes mentoring, networking, a week-long career immersive. Subsidised travel, catered meals, and childcare assistance provided.
25 Aug – ACT Event Fund 2026 (ACT)
Up to $10,000 to support the delivery of community events. Up to $30,000 for events that can develop and grow tourism, economic activity, and more.
27 Aug – Contemporary Asian Australian Performance Spinning Plates
CAAP is holding an online Producer Meet-Up. An informal space for emerging Asian Australian producers to connect.
28 Aug – Creative WA Arts Fellowships (WA)
Fellowships of $50,000 to support an intensive period of creative development. For artists with a minimum of five years’ professional practice.
31 Aug – Queensland Country Bank Community Grants (QLD)
Up to $30,000 for community group projects. Projects should make a practical difference that help Queenslanders to live better.
2 Sept – Creative Australia Arts Projects Funding
Up to $50,000 for individuals and groups. Up to $100,000 for organisations. Funding supports national and international projects and activities.
6–7 Sept – Dance Sector Engagement and Professional Development (QLD)
Brisbane Festival is hosting free masterclasses and networking with L.A. Dance Project. Costs for travel and accommodation will be covered for ten regional dance professionals to attend.
16 Sept – Asia Pacific Arts Awards 2026
The Awards celebrate Australian artists, collectives and organisations engaging across the Asia Pacific. Nominations are open. Applicants cannot self-nominate.
17 Sept – Arts on Tour Backroads (NSW)
$7,000 for low-budget productions in NSW. Tour independent or community-run venues to regional and remote areas.
Queensland Premier’s Drama Award
Submissions are open for new and undeveloped ideas without a completed script. The winning submission receives $30,000. Queensland Theatre will develop and stage it.
First Nations Performing Arts Workforce Development Framework 2025–2030
Bangarra Dance Theatre, BlakDance, ILBIJERRI, Marrugeku, Moogahlin, Yirra Yaakin, and NAISDA have launched their Workforce Development Framework. It lays out a 10-year plan led by the First Nations orgs. The goal is to change how they recruit, train, and keep a strong and sustainable First Nations performing arts workforce.
Service and Creative Skills Australia Arts Workforce Plan Update 2025
SaCSA has released a 2025 update on their Arts Workforce Planning Report. From page 40, the report outlines projects SaCSA is progressing to address key challenges and drivers in the Arts.
The Queensland Government’s 10-Year Arts Strategy
The Queensland Government has announced a new 10-years arts strategy, Queensland’s Time To Shine. They have also announced funding of 53 arts and cultural companies. New recipients include Blue Roo Theatre Company and Crossroad Arts.
PAC Australia Adaptive Futures
PAC Australia has launched an online series for professional development. This series aims to help performing arts centres and organisations take the lead on climate solutions. The first session is in October on climate risks and opportunities.
Adelaide Fringe External Advisory Committees EOIs
EOIs are open to join external advisory committees at Adelaide Fringe. There are three committees on Disability, Access and Inclusion; Multicultural Inclusion; and the Reconciliation Action Plan. Each committee plays a role in the advice and governance of the festival.
VICTORIAN STUFF
9 Aug – Melbourne Theatre Company Cybec Electric 2025 Workshops
How to Write a Play for emerging BIPOC writers with Tasnim Hossain; Queering the Mainstagewith Jean Tong; and a free networking event. Workshops cost $25.
11 Aug – South Side Festival 2026 Artist Commissions EOIs
Up to $5,000 for artists to present at the festival in May 2026.
18 Aug – Geelong Arts Centre Creative Engine Grants
$3,000 and $5,000 grants for artists to develop and evolve work, with in-kind studio space on offer. The selection criteria is connection, innovation, and planning.
18 Aug – Lucy Guerin Inc Dance Dialogues: Crip World Making
Join Dan Daw and Caroline Bowditch for a chat about creating work. They will explore how to imagine and build worlds that disabled people can inhabit fully.
22 Aug – Gasworks Arts Park 2026 EOIs
Present work, workshops, and public programs at Gasworks.
22 Aug – Substation ‘Producing is a Feeling’ September Workshop EOIs
Workshop for artists on managing their own projects. It will cover timelines and budgets but also values, boundaries, and burnout prevention. Led by producer Arie Rain Glorie and CEO Nuala Furtado.
25 Aug – Merri-bek City Council Flourish Arts Grants
Funding for artists and orgs to flourish and be sustainable. Up to $5,000 for artists and $10,000 for arts orgs. To strengthen capacity, explore new ways to engage with audiences, build connections with community, and more.
1 Sept – Institute of Community Directors’ Joan Kirner Emerging Leaders Program
Fully funded six-week leadership program for women and gender diverse leaders. Includes in-person and online workshops, a mentoring circle, and more.
CYPA STUFF (Children, Young People, and the Arts)
17 Aug – PYT Fairfield Residency EOIs (NSW)
Week-long residency for an artist or group aged 18–28 in Western Sydney to develop or present work. PYT Fairfield provides $7,000, space, producing and mentoring support.
27 Aug – Carclew Youth Arts Sector Meeting (SA)
Bringing together orgs working with children and young people to share best practice, and advance youth arts in SA.
28 Aug – Creative WA Arts Fellowships for Young People (WA)
Fellowships of $26,000 for individuals aged 18–25 to grow their participation in the arts.
30 Aug – Pilot Comedy 2026
Supports comedians aged 16–25 to perform a 30-minute comedy show at Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2026. Pilot Comedy will provide producing, financing and marketing, including travel and accommodation for interstate applicants.
1 Sept – Blackbird Protostars Grants
Up to $1,000 for young people aged 18–25 to work on their passion projects.
8 Sept – Arts Tasmania Youth Arts Organisations Funding (TAS)
Up to $80,000 for TAS youth arts orgs to deliver activities that engage young people under 25 years old.
8 Sept – City of Melbourne SIGNAL Young Creatives Lab (VIC)
Project funding of up to $8,000 for new projects led by creatives aged 18–25. Includes mentoring and production support.
11 Sept – FETEN 2026 Proposals
For productions aimed at children and families to present at the International Performing Arts Fairin Gijón, Spain in Feb 2026. Financial and technical support are arranged by agreement between the companies and FETEN.
21 Sept – Carclew Project and Development Grants
Funding to develop and present work which involves children and young people in the arts. Up to $10,000 for individuals aged 26 and under, and up to $20,000 for orgs. Up to $10,000 for youth orgs to also build their capacity.
CAPT STUFF (Circus and Physical Theatre)
26 Sept–5 Oct – Canberra Circus Festival (ACT)
Includes free workshops, a training intensive for youth circus, and a training intensive for circus trainers. Youth circus: $920. Circus training: from $475.
8–10 Oct – NICA Australian Circus Summit
Early-bird registrations are open for the three-day program, hosted by NICA in Melbourne. Ticket costs start from $90.
INDUSTRY GOSS
- Natalie Jenkins has been appointed the new Executive Director at Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company.
- Steph Cox has been appointed the inaugural Circus Centre Manager at Circus Centre Melbourne.
- Wesley Enoch AM has been appointed the new Chair of Creative Australia.
- Victor Wang has been appointed Executive Director at Artspace.
- Patrick Kennedy is the new CEO of Sydney Fringe.
- Felix Preval has been appointed Director of Creative Programming and Mark Duckworth as Director of Commercial Programming at HOTA: Home of the Arts on the Gold Coast.
- Vanessa Pigrum has stepped down as CEO at Theatre Royal Hobart.
- Tania Hudson has stepped down as CEO of Chamber of Arts and Culture WA.
Artistic Director, ILBIJERRI Theatre Company (VIC). Apply by 8 Aug.
Deputy Production Manager, Ensemble Theatre (NSW). Apply by 8 Aug.
Program and Partnerships Manager, Eastern Riverina Arts (NSW). Apply by 11 Aug.
Marketing and Communications Coordinator, Midsumma Festival (VIC). Apply by 11 Aug.
Production Coordinator, Barking Gecko (WA). Apply by 11 Aug.
Accounts Payable/Administration Assistant, Auspicious Arts Projects (VIC). Apply by 14 Aug.
People & Finance Officer, National Institute of Circus Arts (VIC). Apply by 15 August.
Specialist Teacher – Handstands, National Institute of Circus Arts (VIC). Apply by 15 August.
Producer, Children Families & Creative Learning, Sydney Opera House (NSW). Apply by 17 Aug.
Communications and Engagement Coordinator, Eastern Riverina Arts (NSW). Apply by 18 Aug.
Board of Directors (Voluntary), Penrith Performing & Visual Arts (NSW). EOIs by 24 Aug.