Arts Queensland and the Queensland Mental Health Commission have partnered to deliver the Arts-led Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund – supporting Queensland councils to develop arts and cultural initiatives and programs that promote wellbeing and strengthen social connection and inclusion for their communities.
This new Fund is aligned with priorities in Queensland’s Time to Shine: a 10-year strategy for arts and culture 2025–2035, as well as Shifting Minds: The Queensland Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs, and Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan 2023–2028 and Thriving Lives, Connected Communities – Queensland’s Commitment to Mental Health and Wellbeing.
Responding to a wealth of research about the positive mental health and wellbeing benefits of arts engagement and participation, the Fund offers Queensland councils the opportunity to apply for funding that supports their local community arts and wellbeing priorities. This may include funding for community festivals, artist-led workshops, large-scale participatory projects, performances or exhibitions, cultural maintenance and cultural connection programs and/or community grants programs.
The Fund is supported with a $1 million investment over 18 months from the Queensland Mental Health Commission, and Arts Queensland now invites applications from eligible Queensland councils for arts-led mental health and wellbeing initiatives.
Arts Queensland has also supported the Regional Arts Services Network (RASN) to employ a specialist Regional Arts Advisor with knowledge and experience in designing, delivering, and evaluating arts-led mental health and wellbeing initiatives.
Dr Erica Rose Jeffrey has joined the latest RASN service provider Everybody Now, to provide advice and resources to the arts sector statewide on developing arts-led projects that contribute to positive mental health and wellbeing outcomes.
Regional and remote Queensland artists and arts organisations along with all Queensland councils can connect with Dr Jeffrey via the RASN website.
Queensland Councils seeking to make application to the Fund are encouraged to contact RASN at rasn.au.
Applications close at 2:00pm, Friday 27 November 2026.
Image: Circus in a Teacup, Vulcana Circus with Micah Projects, 2024. Credit: Jade Ellis