Cultural Tourism Fund recipients announced

More than $891,000 will help seven Queensland organisations grow some of the state’s favourite cultural festivals and events, through the revitalised Cultural Tourism Fund.

The Cultural Tourism Fund provides funding for events and festivals to support the development and presentation of new programming initiatives, as well as marketing activities to reach new audiences and grow cultural tourism.

Applicants could access up to $160,000 over two years for the New Programming stream, and up to $40,000 over two years through the New Markets stream.

Additional funding of up to $10,000 was made available through the Fund to support access needs of artists and audiences with disability.

Activities will commence from 13 July 2026, and recipients include organisations behind the Gympie Music Muster, Australian Festival of Chamber Music and 1770 Festival.

Recipients of the Cultural Tourism Fund are:

• Australian Festival of Chamber Music – $180,000 in total funding ($160,000 from New Programming Stream over two years, $20,000 from New Markets Stream for one year) to support the presentation of Global Chamber Voices as part of the international chamber music festival­—attracting more interstate and Asia-Pacific visitors, while enhancing Cairns’ cultural profile.
• Discovery Coast Tourism & Commerce – $30,000 in funding over two years from the New Markets Stream to implement a targeted marketing strategy to grow visitation of the 1770 Festival, increasing out-of-region attendance and overnight stay, while positioning the event as a Southern Great Barrier Reef destination experience.
• Experience Gold Coast – $80,000 in funding for one year from New Programming Stream for the Groundwater Country Music Festival—supporting expanded programming including a Thursday opening night concert.
• Gympie Muster Limited – $170,000 over two years from the New Programming Stream (including $10,000 in access support) to support a new Emerging International Artists Showcase, presenting four international emerging artists at the iconic Gympie Music Muster.
• Jumpers and Jazz in July Inc – Up to $151,110 in total funding (up to $131,110 over two years from New Programming Stream, and $20,000 from New Markets Stream for one year) to incorporate a Contemporary Textile Commission and Participatory Arts Program as part of Warwick’s Jumpers and Jazz in July festival, while marketing the annual event to younger audiences and interest groups.
• Northern Arts Limited – $190,000 in total funding ($170,000 over two years from New Programming Stream, including $10,000 in access support and $20,000 from New Markets Stream for one year) to present A Weekend on the Island—an immersive arts, Indigenous storytelling and live music event on Magnetic Island as part of the North Australia Festival of Arts 2027-28.
• Sound Australia Pty Ltd –$90,000 in funding for one year from the New Programming Stream including $10,000 in access support, to help deliver Savannah Storylines—an arts-led cultural initiative connecting event patrons with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, local artists, and small towns along the Savannah Way, as part of the annual Savannah in the Round music and cultural festival.