Albanese Government Backs Seven Arts Projects to Showcase Australian Talent on the Global Stage

The Albanese Labor Government has announced support for seven Australian performance and exhibition projects through the International Cultural Diplomacy Arts Fund, highlighting the country’s creative excellence on the global stage.

Aiming to strengthen Australia’s cultural engagement and expand access to international audiences, the funded projects span dance, theatre, and visual art, and will travel across Asia, the Pacific, Europe, and the United States.

Among the recipients are Papunya Tula Artists, who will travel to the US to take part in public programming for major First Nations art exhibitions, and BlakDance Australia Ltd, which will develop and pilot Guuranda 2.0 in Chennai, India.

Performing Lines Ltd has received funding for Moongahlin Performing Arts’ international tour of The Visitors at the 2026 Auckland Arts Festival, while Wantok Music Foundation will lead cultural exchange and recording projects in Timor-Leste and the Solomon Islands.

In dance, Australasian Dance Collective will take Bad Nature on tour across the Netherlands and France, while Chunky Move will showcase two works internationally — U>N>I>T>E>D in Singapore, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, and You, Beauty in India.

Meanwhile, Auspicious Arts Projects Inc will deliver Dumulmeori (where two rivers meet), a Korean-Australian dance collaboration exploring cross-cultural connection and storytelling.

Tony Burke, Minister for the Arts, said the program is important to boost international cultural engagement.

“Our artists are storytellers that help us learn about ourselves, understand each other and let the world get to know us,” he said.

“These latest projects will captivate international audiences and showcase Australia’s wide range of talent, while celebrating and sharing culture.”