- Arts Organisations Investment Program (AOIP) will see 37 recipients share in $56 million
- Significant increase in AOIP funding, going to organisations across WA over four years
- Exciting new entrants to the program include a regional arts centre and theatre, circus performance organisation, and cultural experience and storytelling projects
Thirty-seven Western Australian organisations will receive a total of $56 million in a record-breaking round of the Arts Organisations Investment Program (AOIP). Funding for AOIP is up from $10.5 million per annum to $14 million per annum and will span a four-year period.
Six new entrants are among 37 successful applicants in this competitive funding program, and will receive money distributed from the financial years 2023/24 to 2026/27, the entrants include:
- Fremantle Biennale;
- Centre for Stories;
- Mundaring Arts Centre;
- North Midlands Projects Inc;
- CIRCUSWA; and
- Theatre Kimberley Inc.
The AOIP has delivered more than $82 million in assistance since it was established in 2016. Funding is awarded to small to medium organisations that:
- create and present high quality, best of its type arts, cultural and creative experiences;
- create work that is original, innovative and authentic that respects cultural tradition, or promotes social awareness and cohesion;
- broaden and deepen community access and engagement in arts, cultural and creative experiences;
- reflect the diversity of the State through telling Western Australian stories;
- have strong connections with, and presence in, communities increasing the reach, depth and diversity of audience engagement;
- collaborate with others to create new sustainable ways of working together; and
- leverage opportunities and funding from a range of sources and partners to develop and operate in a financially, environmentally and socially sustainable way.
Applications to AOIP are assessed by an independent advisory panel of highly skilled and experienced WA arts, culture, and creativity sector members, including a First Nations voice.
AOIP is administered by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) and more information is available on the DLGSC website at:
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The next AOIP round will be from 2027 to 2031, with applications due to open in early August 2026.
For organisations not successful in securing funding during the most recent and extremely competitive round of AOIP, other funding streams are available through application.
As stated by Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman:
“Congratulations to 37 not-for-profit organisations across metropolitan Perth, our South-West, Mid-West and Kimberley regions for securing a share in this record-breaking Arts Organisations Investment Program (AOIP) funding allocation.
“I’m very proud of the McGowan Government’s significant financial investment and commitment to grow Western Australia’s arts and creative industries and generate positive outcomes for the communities we serve.
“The AOIP aims to build a strong WA art, cultural and creative sector to support and promote the vibrancy of our State and to ensure this is celebrated locally, nationally, and internationally.
“It was an extremely competitive round but I’m delighted to see six brand new entrants in the mix – Fremantle Biennale, Centre for Stories, Mundaring Arts Centre, North Midlands Project, CIRCUSWA and Theatre Kimberley.”
Full list of recipients in alphabetical order (amount is per annum for Year 1)
1. Aboriginal Art Centre Hub of Western Australia – $300,000
2. Artrage (FRINGE WORLD, Rooftop Projects, regional touring) – $350,000
3. AWESOME Arts (Festival, Creative Learning programs) – $354,000
4. Barking Gecko Theatre Company – $600,000
5. Centre for Stories – $280,000
6. CircuitWest – $350,000
7. CIRCUSWA – $100,000
8. Bunbury Regional Art Gallery – $170,000
9. Geraldton Regional Art Gallery – $170,000
10. Community Arts Network Western Australia – $520,000
11. DADAA – $180,000
12. FORM Building a State of Creativity (based in Claremont) – $400,000
13. Fremantle Arts Centre – $800,000
14. Fremantle Biennale – $400,000
15. Fremantle Press – $395,000
16. Kimberley Aboriginal Law and Culture Centre (based in Fitzroy Crossing) – $150,000
17. Magabala Books – $450,000
18. Mundaring Arts Centre – $280,000
19. ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Exhibitions Touring Structure (ART ON THE MOVE) – $600,000
20. North Midlands Project – $170,000
21. Performing Arts Centre Society (Blue Room Theatre) – $425,000
22. Performing Lines Limited (in Perth) – $420,000
23. Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts – $890,000
24. Perth Symphony Orchestra – $150,000
25. Regional Arts WA – $623,600
26. Sensorium Theatre – $300,000
27. Spare Parts Puppet Theatre – $473,000
28. STRUT Dance (at King Street Arts Centre) – $330,000
29. The Contemporary Dance Company of Western Australia Co3 – $700,000
30. The Last Great Hunt – $400,000
31. The Literature Centre (in Fremantle) – $120,000
32. Theatre Kimberley (in Broome) – $100,000
33. Tura New Music (Subiaco) – $380,000
34. West Australian Youth Jazz Orchestra – $180,000
35. WA Youth Theatre – $201,600
36. Western Australian Youth Orchestra – $200,000
37. Yirra Yaakin – $500,000
