2025-26 ACDGP grantees

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is pleased to announce the recipients of the Australian Cultural Diplomacy Grants Program (ACDGP) for 2025–26.

This annual program supports international projects that tell Australian stories, amplify First Nations voices, deepen bilateral partnerships and build cultural understanding and connections overseas.

The program will support 9 initiatives across England, Fiji, France, Germany, Indonesia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Vietnam.

Pacific projects funded in 2025-26 will feature as part of Australia now: Pacific edition – a celebration of the deep cultural connections between Australia and Pacific Island countries. Australia now: Pacific edition is running from June to December 2026.

World map showing locations of Australian Cultural Diplomacy Grants Program projects for 2025-26, highlighting countries in Europe, North America, and Oceania. Key markers with white dots and labels indicate project sites in United Kingdom, France, Germany, Mexico, Vietnam, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, and New Zealand. — Locations of the ACDGP 2025–26 round projects

Wantok Musik Foundation: Connected Oceans: Antarctic science and Pacific communities facing rising seas

Countries: Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands
Project delivery dates: June 2026 – June 2027
Grant award: $59,420
Website: Wantok Musik

Connected Oceans brings together artists, scientists and Pacific communities to explore the impacts of climate change through shared cultural expression. Using collaborative storytelling and creative works, the project will connect Antarctic climate research and melting ice with lived experiences in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands of rising seas and climate displacement.

The project will document and preserve songs, stories and cultural knowledge at risk from climate-related displacement while strengthening Australia-Pacific relationships and fostering a deeper understanding of shared environmental challenges. The project will culminate in an audio-visual presentation that brings together scientific research and community voices to share these stories with broader audiences.

Photograph of a snowy coastal landscape at sunset with a person in a yellow jacket operating a camera on a tripod and audio equipment set up nearby. Large rocks in foreground contrast with icy water and scattered ice patches extending toward horizon under a clear sky with warm orange and blue hues. — 1am recording @ Jack's Hut, Antarctica. K Verell and David Bridie. Photo: David Bridie

Arts Centre Melbourne: Asia TOPA & Dance Fest Fiji: Creative & Cultural Exchange

Countries: Fiji
Project delivery dates: November 2026
Grant award: $40,500
Website: Asia TOPA | Arts Centre Melbourne

Arts Centre Melbourne will partner with Dance Fest Fiji to deliver a cultural exchange program connecting Australian and Fijian artists and arts professionals. The project includes workshops, public performances, technical training and creative collaborations designed to strengthen artistic capability and foster new creative partnerships.

The exchange will deepen cultural connections between Australia and Fiji, strengthen relationships between leading arts organisations, and support future international collaboration through the development of new shared creative works.

Photograph of two dancers performing a traditional or cultural dance on stage with dark background. The female dancer wears a fur headpiece and woven garment, while the male dancer is shirtless with dark pants, both striking dynamic poses. — CONJAH. Credit: Frances Carter.

Gondwana Choirs: Gondwana Indigenous Children's Choir 2026 Tour to New Zealand

Countries: New Zealand
Project delivery dates: June-July 2026
Grant award: $25,000
Website: Gondwana Choirs

The Gondwana Indigenous Children's Choir will travel to Aotearoa New Zealand for a cultural exchange with the New Zealand Children's Choral Academy. Young singers will participate in workshops, rehearsals and performances, sharing music, culture and stories with their peers.

The project will foster connections between First Nations and Māori communities, promoting cultural understanding, artistic collaboration and the exchange of knowledge through song, language, shared cultural experiences and storytelling.

Photograph of a group of twelve young Indigenous girls posing outdoors near a body of water with sailboats in the background. They wear coordinated black outfits with red and white scarves, suggesting participation in a team or performance group. — Gondwana Indigenous Children’s Choir. Credit: Gondwana Choirs.

Dr Michael Chew: Australia-Pacific Climate Futures Indigenous Arts Exchange

Countries: Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu, Indonesia
Project delivery dates: May 2026 - December 2027
Grant award: $46,713
Website: Climate Futures

The Australia-Pacific Climate Futures Indigenous Arts Exchange will bring together emerging artists from Australia, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu and Indonesia for a residency in Samoa exploring Indigenous knowledge systems and climate futures. Participants will collaborate through cultural and creative practice, developing new perspectives on shared environmental challenges.

The project will strengthen artistic networks across the region, support emerging creative leaders and amplify First Nations and Pacific voices through exhibitions, creative outputs and cross-cultural dialogue. Outcomes will include public exhibitions across four countries and a multilingual Climate Futures Playbook toolkit, helping to share knowledge and inspire future collaborations on climate resilience and cultural preservation.

Photograph of a group of people sitting on mats outdoors, engaging in a communal gathering or discussion surrounded by plants and trees. Central figure wears a green shirt and traditional Indonesian headwear, with various items like food containers and potted plants arranged around participants, highlighting a cultural or social event in a natural setting. — Kidung Tani, south of Yogyakarta, researching traditional Javanese ecological farming practices. Credit: Dr Michael Chew.

Turning World: Australia x Vietnam contemporary music showcase

Photograph of a female Vietnamese musician playing a red Nord Stage keyboard and singing into a microphone at an event with a colorful circular backdrop. Backdrop features labeled concentric rings in white, yellow, blue, and black with text such as "Industry Workshops," "Australia," "Networking," and "Showcase Performances," highlighting event focus on Australian music and cultural exchange.

Countries: Vietnam
Project delivery dates: March 2027
Grant award: $45,150
Website: Turning World

Australian and Vietnamese musicians will come together through a series of live performances, songwriting workshops and creative exchanges delivered in Ho Chi Minh City. The project will showcase contemporary Australian music while creating opportunities for collaboration with Vietnam's vibrant music sector.

By connecting artists, industry professionals and audiences, the project will strengthen cultural and creative industry links between Australia and Vietnam, support the development of new collaborative works, and enhance Australia’s reputation as a trusted partner through knowledge sharing, professional exchange and enduring people-to-people connections.

Bangarra Dance Theatre: Mexico Presentation 2026

Countries: Mexico
Project delivery dates: October 2026
Grant award: $60,000
Website: FuturesPast | Bangarra

Bangarra Dance Theatre will undertake its first tour to Mexico, presenting FuturesPast as part of celebrations marking 60 years of diplomatic relations between Australia and Mexico. The production draws on Bangarra's acclaimed repertoire to showcase the strength and richness of First Nations storytelling.

The tour will introduce Indigenous Australian culture to new audiences, strengthen cultural connections between Australia and Mexico, and highlight Australia's world-class performing arts sector on the international stage. Alongside the performances, Bangarra will deliver community engagement activities, creating opportunities for audiences, artists and local communities to connect through cultural exchange and dialogue.

Photograph of two Indigenous dancers performing on stage with dark blue lighting and a reflective floor. The male dancer lifts the female dancer, who wears a flowing white costume and points upward, highlighting grace and strength in a dramatic moment. — FuturesPast Bangarra Dance Theatre. Credit: Kate Longley.

Pasifika Film Fest: Tuvalu 2026

Countries: Tuvalu, Papua New Guinea, Samoa
Project delivery dates: September 2026
Grant award: $60,000
Website: Pasifika Film Fest

Pasifika Film Fest 2026 will celebrate Pacific climate and community storytelling and creative collaboration through screenings and cultural events in Australia, Tuvalu, Papua New Guinea and Samoa. Marking the festival's 10th anniversary, the program will showcase Pacific and Australian-Pacific voices and stories to audiences across the region.

The project will strengthen people-to-people connections, support emerging Pacific filmmakers and promote greater understanding of shared experiences, identities and cultures throughout the Pacific.

Photograph showing a person with a floral headpiece capturing a cultural dance performance on a smartphone. The scene includes dancers in traditional attire and children seated or standing in a brightly lit indoor space with blue and yellow walls. — Stories through a lens. Credit: Pasifika Film Fest.

Australian Museum: Message Sticks Digital Exhibition

Countries: Global
Project delivery: 2027
Grant award: $45,000
Website: First Nations cultures and history - The Australian Museum

The Australian Museum will develop and share a digital exhibition showcasing message sticks, one of the world's oldest diplomatic and communication practices. Used by First Nations peoples across Australia, message sticks are marked wooden objects that enabled communication between language groups, supporting the exchange of information and news, such as an upcoming cultural ceremony, gathering or event.

Featuring First Nations perspectives, stories and cultural knowledge, the exhibition will be made available to audiences worldwide through digital channels.

The project will amplify First Nations voices, support cultural understanding and extend the global reach of a uniquely Australian cultural tradition through innovative digital storytelling.

Photograph of a carved wooden artifact shaped like an elongated oval with a human figure etched in the center. The carving features cross patterns surrounding the figure and linear designs on both ends, highlighting traditional craftsmanship. — Message Stick, Muruwari, Collection of the Australian Museum

Stephanie Lake Company: Manifesto International Touring Program 2026/2027

Countries: France, Germany, England
Project delivery dates: November 2026 – April 2027
Grant award: $60,000
Website: Manifesto — Stephanie Lake Company

Stephanie Lake Company will tour its acclaimed production Manifesto to major festivals and venues across France, Germany and the United Kingdom. Created by one of Australia's leading contemporary choreographers, the work showcases Australian artistic excellence and innovation through a powerful and dynamic performance experience that fuses contemporary dance with a distinctive nine-drum ensemble.

The international tour will strengthen Australia's cultural profile, create new opportunities for artistic exchange and present Australian contemporary dance to audiences on some of the world's leading stages.

Photograph of a live performance featuring three drummers elevated on a platform with red curtains and seven dancers in white pants and tops standing below with arms crossed above heads. The scene highlights a contrast between musicians and dancers, emphasizing coordinated movement and rhythmic energy. — Nine dancer, nine drummers, nine drum kits. Credit: Roy VanDerVegt.

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