Skip to main content

Emerging, experimental and community arts support

On this page you can find a range of organisations and guilds that support emerging, experimental and community arts in Australia.

Share page
graphic artwork

Access Arts Qld

Access Arts is Queensland's leading arts organisation dedicated to empowering artists with disability or disadvantage to pursue their art.
They offer development opportunities for visual and performing artists, and provide opportunities for exhibitions, workshops, grants, awards and festivals. Access Arts also provides a national platform for disability-led creative work, creating pathways for artists to connect, grow, and showcase their talents.

Go to Access Arts

Access2Arts SA

Access2Arts is the South Australian peak body for arts and disability. They support d/Deaf and disabled individuals to engage in the arts, and help arts and cultural organisations become more inclusive and accessible. They provide access services including audio description, Auslan and captioning, training and consultancy, equipment hire and free resources. Access2Arts also run a variety of programs as well as promoting relevant events and opportunities. 

Go to Access2Arts

Accessible Arts NSW

Accessible Arts is the peak arts and disability organisation in New South Wales. They advocate for the rights and opportunities of people with disability or who are d/Deaf to develop careers in the arts. Accessible Arts offers free programs including creative initiatives, industry education and advocacy, community and industry forums, networking events and advisory services. They also provide career advancement opportunities through internships, mentorships, artist residencies and workshops.  

Go to Accessible Arts NSW

All Conference

All Conference is an organising network comprised of 17 artist-led, experimental and cross-disciplinary arts organisations from around Australia. All Conference members present diverse and innovative artistic programs which support the practices of living Australian artists. Free downloadable resources and reports on the artist-run sector are available on their website.

Go to All Conference

Arts Access Victoria

Arts Access Victoria is a disability-led organisation based in Melbourne. They drive accessibility and inclusion within the arts and cultural sector at state, national, and international levels. They produce and showcase the work of Deaf and Disabled artists, arts workers and creatives to lead transformational and systemic change that benefits all Deaf and Disabled individuals. Arts Access Victoria offers professional development programs for individuals as well as training and consultancy for organisations. 

Go to Arts Access Victoria

Arts Industry Council SA

The Arts Industry Council SA (AICSA) is a non-government, not-for-profit organisation that provides independent leadership and a voice for South Australian artists, cultural workers, and organisations. They offer free resources including research reports, workshops and webinars. AICSA connects members, allies, and the community, advocating on behalf of the sector while empowering them to advocate for themselves. 

Go to AICSA

Australian Copyright Council

The Australian Copyright Council (ACC) provides expert advice, training, and free information on Australian copyright law. Representing over a million creators, the ACC fosters collaboration between artists of all art forms and consumers, offering resources to help navigate copyright issues.

Go to ACC

Chamber of Arts and Culture WA

The Chamber of Arts and Culture WA (CACWA) is the peak body for arts, culture and the creative industries in Western Australia. The Chamber champions and advocates for the economic, cultural and community value of the arts. The Chamber’s website contains a broad range of research reports and resources, as well as information about online training modules and related programs. The Chamber also offers a range of exclusive benefits for their paid members.

Go to CACWA

Community Arts Network

Community Arts Network (CAN) is an arts producer and sector leader working at the forefront of community arts and cultural development. Partnering with communities to share stories and perspectives that are unwritten or unspoken, CAN works with artists skilled in community practice, creating positive social change through the arts, building inclusion and understanding between people. CAN’s programs work across multiple artforms, engaging with all demographics and communities, leading to capacity building, reconciliation, the initiation of artistic careers and increased economic development from events/activities.

Go to CAN

Country Arts SA

Country Arts SA provides access to the arts in regional South Australia for artists and communities. With a focus of First Nations first and a community lens they commission new work, present shows, exhibitions, film, workshops and events at their four regional arts centres and at community-owned venues and gallery spaces across South Australia. They offer grants for regional artists and community groups and professional development programs for regional artists.

Go to Country Arts SA

Creative Recovery Network

Creative Recovery Network works to integrate creativity, arts and culture into Australia's disaster management systems. They advocate for the use of arts-based programs to support recovery and resilience. They also provide resources, training, and a community of practice for those using arts to aid disaster preparedness, response and recovery.

Go to Creative Recovery Network

Darwin Community Arts

Darwin Community Arts (DCA) is a community association dedicated to grassroots arts development in the Darwin Region of the Northern Territory. DCA operates community based spaces including a gallery and studio, community theatre, rural art space and disability focused studio. They offer inclusive opportunities for artists through projects, grants and events. 

Go to DCA

Diversity Arts Australia

Diversity Arts Australia (DARTS) is the national voice for ethno-cultural and migrant racial equity in the arts, cultural and creative industries. They offer a range of tailored diversity and inclusion services including training programs, events, projects and resources. 

Go to DARTS

Multicultural Arts Victoria

Multicultural Arts Victoria (MAV) is a community arts organisation and peak advocacy body for the multicultural arts sector in Victoria. They provide a program of free events and projects, as well as services that link creatives to networking, funding and collaboration opportunities. MAV works to elevate diverse voices and promote the value of multicultural arts in the broader cultural landscape.

Go to MAV

RANT Arts Tasmania

RANT Arts is a not-for-profit peak arts organisation based in regional Tasmania, focused on supporting regional arts, youth arts, and health and wellbeing. They administer the Federal Regional Arts Fund in Tasmania and provide a range of support services, programs and projects. 

Go to RANT Arts

Regional Arts Australia

Regional Arts Australia (RAA) is the national peak body for arts in regional Australia. They work with state based regional arts organisations to manage the Regional Arts Fund on behalf of the Australian Government. RAA also offers a variety of free programs, publications and resources for artists on their website. 

Go to RAA

Regional Arts NSW

Regional Arts NSW is the peak body and service agency for arts and cultural development in regional New South Wales. They provide support services including grants, group insurance, training programs, plus tailored services and advice for members.  Regional Arts NSW works to advocate to government for the needs of the sector. 

Go to Regional Arts NSW

Regional Arts Victoria

Regional Arts Victoria is a membership-based organisation supporting artists and communities across regional Victoria. They have a range of free resources and programs available as well as exclusive resources for paying members. Regional Arts Victoria works to advocate to government for the needs of the sector. 

Go to Regional Arts Victoria

Regional Arts WA

Regional Arts WA is a not-for-profit organisation that provides services to the regional arts sector. Their services include grant programs, advice, networking, capacity building, and strategic projects to meet the diverse needs of the regional arts community. Regional Arts WA's mission is to champion, strengthen and connect the regional arts sector, supporting artists, arts workers, and organisations across the state.

Go to Regional Arts WA

Support Act

Support Act is a registered charity that provides free counselling, advice, and support to music and creative industry workers through the Support Act Wellbeing Helpline. It offers mental health prevention, education, and training programs, addressing issues such as bullying, harassment, discrimination, and psychological safety. Support Act also provides dedicated support lines for First Nations and LGBTQIA workers, as well as those who have experienced sexual misconduct.

Go to Support Act
Image alt text

We acknowledge the many Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and honour their Elders past and present.

We respect their deep enduring connection to their lands, waterways, and surrounding clan groups since time immemorial. We cherish the richness of First Nations peoples’ artistic and cultural expressions. We are privileged to gather on this Country and to share knowledge, culture and art, now and with future generations.

Art by Jordan Lovegrove