In what is being trumpeted as a “record investment” into the performing, visual and literary arts, Arts Queensland has granted more than $39 million in multi-year funding to 53 Queensland-based, small-to-medium arts companies under its Organisations Fund 2026–2029.

Part of the state’s $75.8m arts budget, the fund sustains a mix of theatre and dance companies, music festivals, orchestras and chamber ensembles, including 18 organisations based regionally. Thirteen recipients are earning funding for the first time.

AFCM Artistic Director Jack Liebeck. Photo © Andrew Rankin

The Australian Festival of Chamber Music (AFCM) is one of the major recipients this year, granted $160,000 per annum for four years. Announcing earlier this year that it would be relocate from Townsville to Cairns for its 2026 program, AFCM is expanding its development initiatives and establishing a new program for emerging composers (with two-year funding from Creative Australia).

Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra receives $275,00o from Arts Queensland; Topology $165,000; and Southern Cross Soloists $154,000. Queensland Youth Orchestras is awarded $100,000.