The latest round of the Small Regional Presenters program will support regionally based community groups, not-for-profit organisations, and regional local governments to present performances in their communities. The program also works to build networks so that presenters can share their experiences with colleagues across the state.
The 13 recipients of the 2026 round of the program include first time funding for Eildon Events Inc. and St Arnaud Arts Council, both in the New and Emerging Presenters category, who will bring Songs for Halls to their towns. G.R.A.I.N. Inc., South Gippsland Shire Council and Moorabool Shire Council are working closely with Songlines Aboriginal Music Cooperation to present Songlines – Live and Local featuring established and local First Nations musicians.
King Valley Arts, Bruthen Arts and Events Council, CresFest and Yarrawonga-Mulwala Arts Council Inc. will all bring shows that are a part of RAV’s 2026 touring program to their towns while The Sound Doctor Presents Inc., will present a contemporary music program at Anglesea’s Memorial Hall.
Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks said,
“Victoria’s creative spirit thrives in every corner of our state, and programs like Small Regional Presenters ensure that regional communities have access to high-quality arts experiences close to home. These grants empower local presenters to bring music, theatre, and cultural events to life, strengthening community connections and celebrating the diversity of our creative talent.”
The Small Regional Presenters program is a Victorian Government program delivered by Regional Arts Victoria – the state’s peak body for regionally based creatives and creative organisations.
2026 recipients
THE WARRAGUL HERITAGE PRESERVATION ASSOCIATION INC., Warragul
$8,000
WOW 2026: Inspiring a Music Filled Future
A season of six professional acoustic music performances throughout 2026, staged in the heritage listed, community owned, volunteer operated arts space, Wesley of Warragul. The program will focus on serving the important needs of their established audience as well as enabling new audience development to engage the growing community, particularly young musicians and their families, as well as creating skills development opportunities and cross-generational and cross-cultural connections with the existing more traditional audience.
KING VALLEY ARTS PRESENTS, King Valley
$11,914
King Valley Arts Presents 2026 Season
Bringing theatre and musical productions back to the local community after a hiatus in 2025. The funding will support connecting people through shared experiences in the local halls with three live performances alternating with Film Club bi-monthly offerings. Complemented by several hands-on workshops and culminating in the annual King Valley Art Show in November, it will be a broad cultural program with and for the community.
THE SOUND DOCTOR PRESENTS INC., Anglesea
$9,000
The Sound Doctor 2026 Contemporary Music Program
This funding will support The Sound Doctor’s annual program of live contemporary music in Anglesea’s Memorial Hall, including a new co-presentation with Surf Coast Youth and the Amplify Music Program. Curated boutique music performances showcasing emerging and established Victorian and Australian artists, the program is designed for an audience seeking an alternative to what is presented in the club and pub scene. The focus is on excellent production and design to create an unexpected and unforgettable experience for local music fans.
BRUTHEN ARTS AND EVENTS COUNCIL, Bruthen
$6,950
Tinderella and the Eight Unique Uses of Tinder, and Scott’s BMX Trick Bike Show
Bruthen Arts and Events will host a community ‘Girls’ Night Out’ featuring a locally prepared meal, a dance performance plus the Tinderella show. The event aims to encourage women to attend and experience live theatre together, particularly young mothers who may have limited opportunities to socialise. They will also partner with the Bruthen and Tambo Upper Primary Schools to host Scott’s BMX show, giving local children the opportunity to experience live circus and physical theatre in their own community.
EILDON EVENTS INCORPORATED, Eildon
$3,241
Songs for Eildon
Eildon Events Inc, in partnership with the Eildon Bowls Club, will welcome the award-winning musical duo David Cosma and Charles Jenkins to town to present their hilarious Australiana show filled with singalongs and good times. Cosma and Jenkins will create a unique song for the town based on a workshop held with local residents. The event will be held at the Eildon Bowls Club, the heart of the community.
LINK NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSE, Kaniva, Birchip, Watchem
$13,800
Kaniva, Birchip and Watchem 2026 Program
This funding will support LINK Neighbourhood House, Birchip Neighbourhood House, and Watchem Development Inc. to deliver an engaging arts program in Western Victoria. Kaniva and Birchip will host the high-energy Scott’s BMX Trick Bike Show for young people and families, while Kaniva and Watchem will present Songs for Halls, featuring original music celebrating local stories. These events aim to inspire creativity, foster community pride, and activate underused public spaces. By connecting people across generations, the program strengthens cultural vibrancy and highlights the commitment of these towns to providing inclusive, entertaining and educational arts experiences for their communities.
G.R.A.I.N. INC., Nathalia
$15,000
G.R.A.I.N. Store First Nations Music Program
The G.R.A.I.N. Store will present a First Nations music series on its backyard stage on Yorta Yorta Country including the ‘Walker Family Show’ featuring Benny Walker, Madi Colville Walker and Rob Walker, followed by an event designed by Yorta Yorta artist and emerging producer Brady Jones working with the Songlines Live and Local program. This project will strengthen cultural safety in local music presentation, build professional pathways for First Nations creatives, and provide meaningful community engagement and high-quality live music experiences for audiences across the Goulburn Valley.
ST. ARNAUD ARTS COUNCIL, St. Arnaud
$7,474.40
Hall Stories at St. Arnaud Band Hall
The St. Arnaud Brass Band recently celebrated 150 years of continuous music-making and community contribution. To build on this milestone, the St. Arnaud Arts Council will present Hall Stories, a creative community project led by Damian Callinan. Over a three-day residency, Damian will gather social stories about the Band Hall—memories of Saturday night dances, the hall’s 1937 construction, and the many events held there—which will culminate in an engaging evening of comedy, storytelling, and audience participation, preceded by a performance from the St. Arnaud Citizens Band. A commemorative Hall Stories podcast to follow.
SOUTH GIPPSLAND SHIRE COUNCIL, Leongatha
$9,417.50
South Gippsland Songlines
This funding will support South Gippsland Shire Council to engage the cultural and music services of Songlines Aboriginal Music to co-deliver two First Nations workshops and music events at Mirboo North and Toora Hall in October. Songlines will be connecting with local First Nations people, talent and organisations across South Gippsland in the development of this program. Council is excited to work with Songlines and will be providing support for the workshops and the event across the organisation, to ensure this wonderful cultural offering is available to everyone in the Shire.
INDIGO SHIRE COUNCIL, Beechworth
$15,000
ARTventurers Program 2026
Bringing Creative Arts to Young Minds Across Indigo Shire, The ARTventurers Program brings high-quality creative experiences to primary school-aged children throughout Indigo Shire, making arts accessible to all young people in the community. Through performances held in local community halls, this program delivers engaging artistic experiences that spark imagination, build confidence, and develop creative skills. ARTventurers 2026 presents four diverse, high-quality professional performances across Indigo Shire’s most geographically isolated communities, reaching 600+ audience members. Each show has been carefully selected to align with the community’s needs and our commitment to providing equitable access to the arts.
CRESFEST, Creswick
$12,060
CresFest Year Round
CresFest will move beyond its annual three-day festival in autumn into presenting events relevant and attractive to their community through the year. Each of the three events will be a partnership with a local community group, from VOGA’s bike riders, to the three schools, to the Creswick Chorus and Brass Band, Creswick Cloggers and Creswick Ukelele players. Visiting acts will work in community to build skills, and then present acts of the highest quality and greatest relevance.
ACROSS THE ARTS YARRAWONGA-MULWALA, Yarrawonga
$2,800
Eat, Pray, Walk with Marcus Ryan
This funding will support Across the Arts to expand their repertoire of shows delivered to their regional and rural audiences. The aim is to build capacity to deliver different genres and provide opportunities for the diverse community to experience an expansive range of artistic shows.
MOORABOOL SHIRE COUNCIL, Ballan
$15,000
Hide+Seek presents Moorabool Audience Development Series 2026
This funding will support Hide+Seek to present Moorabool Audience Development 2026, a series of music and literature events across Bacchus Marsh, Ballan, and Blackwood. The program pairs touring and local artists to build audience engagement, creative participation, and presenter capacity, with a focus on local halls. Highlights include First Nations musicians at Blackwood Community Hall (Songlines Live & Local), literary salon Better Off Said in Bacchus Marsh (accompanied with local music), and Melbourne poetry night Thin Red Lines at Ballan Mechanics Institute. Visiting artist workshops complements each program, with either a school-aged or adult practitioner focus, supporting regional arts sustainability.
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Media Contact:
Kate Gerritsen | Director, Communications and Engagement | [email protected]
Image: Dr Hubble’s Bubbles performing at Fish Creek Memorial Hall, 2025
