If you’re a Queensland artist, arts worker or arts organisation, Round 3 of the Queensland Arts Project Fund (QAPF) is open now. It offers project funding across three separate streams, including a dedicated stream for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants, with grants of up to $70,000 available. This guide explains, in plain language, what the fund covers, who can apply, and what to prepare before the round closes.
What is the Queensland Arts Project Fund?
The Queensland Arts Project Fund is a Queensland Government program administered by Arts Queensland. It provides project funding to support the development, creation and presentation of arts and cultural projects across the state. Round 3 opened 7 August 2026 and closes 21 September 2026.
Who qualifies?
QAPF Round 3 is structured across three funding streams, each with its own applicant type:
- General Program stream, open to eligible Queensland arts organisations and groups, funding up to $70,000 per project.
- Individuals stream, open to eligible individual Queensland artists and arts workers, funding up to $20,000 per project.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stream, open to eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, arts workers and organisations, funding up to $70,000 per project.
On top of any of these three streams, applicants may also apply for additional Access funding of up to $10,000, intended to support access-related costs, for example costs connected to a disability access requirement. Applicants should check the official guidelines for the specific eligibility criteria that apply to their stream, including any Queensland residency or location requirements, before applying.
What can the funding be used for?
QAPF funding is intended for arts and cultural projects, such as the development, creation, presentation or touring of creative work, depending on the applicant’s stream and proposed activity.
Importantly, QAPF explicitly excludes certain costs. The fund will not cover business start-up costs, general operating expenses, or equipment purchases over $3,000. If your proposed project relies heavily on any of these excluded cost types, check the official guidelines carefully, as they may not be eligible for funding under this program.
How much funding is available?
Funding varies by stream:
- Up to $70,000 for the General Program stream.
- Up to $20,000 for the Individuals stream.
- Up to $70,000 for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stream.
- An additional up to $10,000 in Access funding, available on top of any of the above streams for eligible access-related costs.
These figures are confirmed directly from Arts Queensland’s official program page.
Key dates
Round 3 opened 7 August 2026 and closes 21 September 2026. Treat 21 September 2026 as a firm deadline unless the official guidelines state otherwise.
How to apply
Applications for QAPF Round 3 are submitted through SmartyGrants, Arts Queensland’s online grants portal. For questions about the program or your eligibility, Arts Queensland can be contacted at investment@arts.qld.gov.au, or by phone on 1800 175 531 or (07) 3034 4016.
Documents you may need to prepare
The official program page doesn’t publish one single document checklist covering every stream. As a general guide for a competitive arts funding round of this type, applicants are commonly asked to describe their proposed project and expected outcomes, provide a project budget, and demonstrate relevant artistic or organisational experience. Treat this as a general guide only. The real requirements for your specific stream will be set out in the official SmartyGrants application form and guidelines.
Common mistakes to avoid
Don’t apply to the wrong stream. Individuals should apply through the Individuals stream, not the General Program stream, which is intended for organisations and groups. Check the eligibility criteria for your applicant type before starting your application.
Don’t budget for excluded costs. Business start-up costs, general operating expenses, and equipment purchases over $3,000 are explicitly excluded. Build your project budget around eligible project costs instead.
Don’t forget the Access funding option if it’s relevant. If your project involves genuine access-related costs, the additional up to $10,000 Access funding sits on top of your main stream funding, so check whether it applies to you before finalising your budget.
Don’t leave your SmartyGrants application to the last minute. With a fixed 21 September 2026 closing date, allow time to complete the online form and gather supporting material well in advance.
How competitive is this grant likely to be?
The official program page doesn’t publish applicant numbers or success rates for Round 3, so we won’t invent a competitiveness estimate. What we can say plainly is that QAPF is a structured, capped-funding program across three streams, so a clear, well-budgeted project that fits your stream’s eligibility criteria gives you the strongest position.
What to prepare before you apply
- Confirm which stream fits your situation. Individual artist or arts worker, arts organisation or group, or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicant, each has its own funding cap and criteria.
- Build a project budget that excludes ineligible costs. Leave out business start-up costs, general operating expenses, and equipment over $3,000.
- Check whether Access funding applies to your project. If relevant, prepare this as a separate request alongside your main stream application.
- Register and complete your application in SmartyGrants ahead of the 21 September 2026 deadline.
Related funding options
If you’re an artist or arts organisation looking more broadly, our guide to grants for Australian artists covers other national funding options. Queensland businesses more broadly may also want to check our Queensland small business grants guide. Community and cultural organisations may find our community development grants guide useful as well.
Not sure yet which type of grant actually fits your situation? Grants Assist’s eligibility assessment tool is a good starting point to quickly narrow down realistic options based on your circumstances, rather than reading through dozens of individual grant pages one by one.
The bottom line
The Queensland Arts Project Fund Round 3 is a real, currently open Queensland Government program offering up to $70,000 across three applicant streams, plus additional Access funding, closing 21 September 2026. If you’re a Queensland artist, arts worker, or arts organisation with an eligible project, it’s worth reviewing the SmartyGrants guidelines for your specific stream before the deadline.
Want to keep exploring your options? Grants Assist’s online portal gives you access to detailed, regularly updated information on grants and assistance programs across Australia. Explore the Grants Assist portal to browse more programs like this one, or call us on 1300-005-999 to speak with one of our advisors.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much funding does the Queensland Arts Project Fund Round 3 offer?
Up to $70,000 for the General Program stream, up to $20,000 for the Individuals stream, up to $70,000 for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stream, plus an additional up to $10,000 in Access funding available on top of any stream.
Who can apply for QAPF Round 3?
Eligible Queensland arts organisations and groups (General Program stream), eligible individual Queensland artists and arts workers (Individuals stream), and eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, arts workers and organisations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stream).
When does QAPF Round 3 close?
21 September 2026. The round opened 7 August 2026.
What can’t the funding be used for?
QAPF explicitly excludes business start-up costs, general operating expenses, and equipment purchases over $3,000.
How do I apply?
Applications are submitted through SmartyGrants.
