More than $2 million in Creative Australia funding will support national tours by performing arts and contemporary music artists, with dozens of projects heading to regional and remote communities.

The investment includes $1.5 million through Playing Australia for 53 touring projects spanning theatre, dance, puppetry and spoken word. The majority of performances – over 70 percent – supported through the program will take place in regional or remote communities.

Jannawi Dance Clan: Garrigarrang Badu

Projects include FORM Dance Projects’ national tour of Jannawi Dance Clan’s Garrigarrang Badu, a work featuring nine female First Nations dancers that premiered in the Sydney Festival in 2025, and Queensland inclusive theatre company indelabilityarts’ Mystery Quest, an interactive performance for children exploring online safety through live performance and gaming.

A further 20 projects will receive support through Creative Australia’s Contemporary Music Touring Program, reaching 98 unique locations across Australia. Additional investment from Music Australia will provide further support for Australian musicians touring nationally.

Melbourne Ska Orchestra. Photo supplied

The contemporary music recipients include The Belair Lip Bombs, Beddy Rays, Rum Jungle, The Tuck Shop Ladies, Sly Withers, Velvet Bloom, Horrorshow and Grieves, The Cambodian Space Project, Sumner, Lizzy & the Woods and Melbourne Ska Orchestra.

Children’s music group The Quokkas will tour Central West NSW towns during the school holidays.

“Touring is vital to ensuring people across Australia can experience live music and performing arts, wherever they live,” said Creative Australia Executive Director Arts Investment Alice Nash.

The investment, she said, would help artists and organisations “build connections with communities, strengthen touring networks and bring high-quality creative experiences to audiences across the country”.

A full list of recipients is available through Creative Australia’s awarded grants list.