How to apply and participate with grant support
The National Multicultural Festival is proud to support community-led performances that celebrate cultural diversity, inclusion, and artistic expression. Through the National Multicultural Festival Grant Program, funding is available to help cover costs such as materials, transport, costumes, equipment, and rehearsal support. Travel and Public Liability Insurance grants are also available through the Grant Program.
This opportunity is ideal for community organisations or individuals who want to participate but need financial assistance to bring their performance to life. The grant program helps ensure that all communities have a platform to share their customs, traditions, and creativity—through music, dance, language, food, workshops, and cultural displays.
If you are applying for grant funding, please only complete the grant application. You are not required to submit an additional performer application.
Grant applications will close at 3pm on Tuesday 28 July 2026.
Categories
Performance
From music, bands, and choirs to dance, spoken word, roving performances, and ceremonies—this is your chance to captivate a live audience and celebrate culture through performance.
Workshop
Engage festival‑goers in hands-on cultural experiences, sharing your skills or traditions in arts, music, dance, spoken word, theatre, cultural demonstrations, yoga, martial arts or meditation.
Cooking demonstration
Share your culture through food on our dedicated cooking stage. Showcase a signature dish, demonstrate traditional techniques, and tell the story behind your cuisine.
Parade participation
Join one of the festival’s most vibrant highlights. Represent your community with colour, music and dance, and delight the crowd with costumes, movement and joyful energy.
Cultural showcase
A curated stage segment featuring performances connected by a shared culture, country or theme—such as poetry, pop culture, or traditional arts—celebrating cultural expression within a set time.
Grant guidelines
Before applying, take a moment to review the grant guidelines. They cover everything you need to know—from how to apply and key dates, to funding categories, fees, responsibilities, and how applications are assessed. You’ll also find information on support available to help you participate.
Tips for applying
1. Prepare a complete and clear application
- Ensure your application includes all required performance and contact details.
- Clearly describe your act and what audiences can expect to see or experience.
- Provide promotional materials to help showcase your performance.
- Confirm your availability across the festival dates.
- Be clear about your technical needs and list any equipment, sound, lighting or staging requirements.
- Provide examples of your work, including video if required.
2. Align with festival values
- The festival is family-friendly, so all content must be suitable for general audiences. Performances will be assessed using Australian Classification ratings to ensure appropriate scheduling and content.
- Your performance should reflect and support the festival’s values of collaboration, diversity, inclusion and respect, and spirit of celebration.
3. Be authentic and engaging
- Share your personal or cultural story—audiences love to connect with performers on a deeper level.
- Highlight how your performance contributes to cultural exchange and community pride.
4. Apply early and ask for help
- Submit your application before the deadline to ensure consideration.
- If you're unfamiliar with the process or need assistance (e.g. translation, tech support), reach out to the festival team—help is available.
5. Promote your involvement
- Once accepted, share your participation on social media and community channels.
- Use official hashtags and tag the festival to help build excitement and visibility.
Need help with your application?
Whether you're a performer or stallholder — applying to participate should feel exciting, not over-whelming. We’re here to support you — with information sessions, one-on-one help and resources to guide you every step of the way.