Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support (IVAIS) Program – 2027 Open Competitive Round

Most grants are expected to be $45,000 to $300,000, depending on the activity’s scope and complexity
There’s no set maximum, but grants can’t exceed the available funding
About $7.1 million is available for 2027–28 and 2028–29
Applications close at 11:45 pm AEDT on 26 November 2026

The IVAIS Open Competitive Round funds art centres, regional hubs, industry service organisations and other organisations to deliver projects that support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visual artists. Funding covers projects such as studio upgrades, exhibitions, art fairs, marketing, digital systems, training and arts worker jobs. Most grants are expected to be $45,000 to $300,000, and applications close at 11:45 pm AEDT on 26 November 2026.

The program is run by the Australian Government's Office for the Arts and invests more than $32 million a year in the First Nations visual arts industry. This open round is for new and emerging activities, innovation and sector development. Ongoing core funding for established organisations is provided through a separate invitation-only round.

Key Requirements

Activity requirements
Activities must meet at least one of these objectives:

give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists professional support to produce, promote and market their art
help artists develop their practice and earn income from it
create jobs in the visual arts industry for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, especially in remote communities
help art centre staff, artists and board members build professional skills
strengthen the Indigenous visual arts industry, including industry service organisations
upgrade or refurbish art centre facilities
give artists more access to national and international markets
improve digital skills or digital infrastructure

Delivery requirements

Activities must be based in Australia, although artists and their work can travel to exhibit overseas
Grants run for one to two years, starting no earlier than 1 July 2027
Artists and arts workers must be paid fairly, in line with industrial awards and Creative Workplaces standards
Funding can’t duplicate other government funding, or cover core operations already funded through an existing IVAIS agreement
Any capital works must be discussed with the IVAIS team before applying

Ethical practice
Successful applicants are expected to follow the Indigenous Art Code and the Code of Practice for Visual Arts, Craft and Design, and to respect Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property.

What is eligible for funding?

Funding can cover three types of costs:

Project funding

Minor infrastructure, such as studio refurbishment, safety, accessibility, security and storage upgrades
Studio equipment, such as kilns, printing and photography equipment, and display systems
Furniture, fit-out and collection storage
IT and digital, including computers, Wi-Fi upgrades, website development and online sales platforms
Exhibitions, new art fairs, export initiatives and audience development, including related travel and freight
Photography, videography, catalogues and digital marketing
Artist workshops, governance and board training, and business capability programs
Sector development, such as research, feasibility studies and collaborative industry projects

Operational funding

Salaries for art centre managers and support staff, plus on-costs
Art materials, exhibition costs, travel, rent, utilities, vehicle running costs and marketing
Professional services such as accounting, legal and strategic planning

Indigenous arts worker funding

Wages and on-costs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts workers
Training and professional development, which must be at least 10% of arts worker funding

What isn’t funded
Major capital works, costs incurred before the grant period, artist wages or commissions for creating artworks, artists’ personal living costs, buying artworks, board sitting fees or travel, buying vehicles, loan repayments, grant preparation costs, prizes and awards, and passing funds to other organisations. Children’s programs, community development, language, cultural maintenance, archiving and art restoration are also excluded, unless they have a clear link to the art market.

What companies are eligible for funding?

Organisations with an ABN, GST registration where required, and an Australian bank account, that are one of the following:

an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander corporation registered under the CATSI Act
an entity set up under Commonwealth, state or territory legislation
a company incorporated in Australia or a company limited by guarantee
an incorporated association
a publicly funded research organisation
a state, territory or local government body

Applicants must have no overdue acquittals or serious breaches relating to Australian Government funding.

Individuals and sole traders, unincorporated associations, overseas organisations, and organisations at risk of insolvency can’t apply. Organisations on the National Redress Scheme list of institutions that haven’t joined, or partnering with one, also can’t apply.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to be an Indigenous organisation to apply?
No. Any eligible organisation can apply, but Indigenous organisations and Indigenous Art Code signatories or supporter members are prioritised.

Can current IVAIS grantees apply?
Yes, for time-limited activities outside their existing agreement, such as one-off projects, new approaches or temporary extra staffing.

Is there a maximum grant amount?
No. Most grants are expected to be $45,000 to $300,000, but grants can’t exceed the available funding.

Can the grant pay artists to create work?
No. Wages or payments to artists for creating artworks aren’t eligible. Artist fees for delivering training or workshops may be, in limited cases.

Can I use the grant to build a new art centre?
No. Major capital works aren’t funded, but minor refurbishments and upgrades are. Discuss any capital works with the IVAIS team before applying.

You can also browse our other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander grants for community and business funding.

Is this grant competitive or entitlement based?

Competitive. Your application will be assessed among other applications by a judging panel.

How can I increase my chances of winning this grant?

By engaging a professional government grant writer consultant. Avant Group is Australia’s largest independent grants advisory firm. With 60% of the score based on program outcomes and alignment with the Indigenous Art Centre Framework, clear evidence of artist, employment and sales outcomes can set your application apart. Find out more about our government grant writing and consulting service here.

How can I get help understanding if I’m eligible for this grant? Or know if I’m likely to win funding?

Avant Group offers a no-obligation assessment of your eligibility for funding and will assess your likelihood of a successful grant application.

This grant is open

Apply for this grant below:

OR