Copyright Agency’s Cultural Fund invests more than $680,000 in Australia’s creative future
July 15, 2026
Copyright Agency’s Cultural Fund has awarded more than $680,000 in funding to Australian authors, visual artists, teachers and creative organisations through its 2026 grants program, supporting the creation of new work, sector development and projects that connect Australian stories with audiences.
This year’s funding includes:
• 31 grants to Australian organisations, totalling $582,902
• Five Create Grants for authors and visual artists
• The 2026 Reading Australia Fellowship for an English and literacy teacher or teacher librarian
Together, the grants support new creative work, strengthen Australia’s literary and visual arts sectors, encourage the teaching of Australian literature and create opportunities for audiences to engage with Australian stories.
Copyright Agency CEO, Josephine Johnston, said the breadth of this year’s recipients demonstrates the important role the Cultural Fund plays across the creative ecosystem.
“The diversity of these grants reflects our Cultural Fund’s commitment to supporting Australian creativity at every stage. Whether creating new work, engaging new audiences, strengthening the creative sector or encouraging the teaching of Australian literature, these grants help ensure Australian stories and voices continue to flourish. We’re delighted to support this year’s recipients and we look forward to seeing their impact.”
Supporting organisations across Australia
The 2026 Cultural Fund grants for organisations attracted 55 eligible applications, with applicants seeking more than $1.23 million in funding. Following a highly competitive assessment process, 31 organisations received a total of $582,902.
This year’s funding supports projects across Australia’s literary, publishing, education and visual arts sectors. Highlights include support for contributor fees for Australian authors published in the new Meanjin; the Sydney Review of Books’ Juncture Fellowship Program for mid-career Australian literary critics; and Express Media’s long-running Toolkits program, helping young creatives aged 16–30 develop their craft, connect with peers and grow as writers and educators.
The Cultural Fund will also support the Copyright Agency–UTS Indigenous Writers’ Fellowship, Writing WA’s Love to Read Local program, and visual arts initiatives including the Sydney Contemporary Art Fair, the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, and Adelaide Contemporary Experimental (ACE)’s Tactile Worlds project, connecting educators and students with contemporary art.
The Cultural Fund has also recommitted its support for the Stella Prize Longlist, the Best Australian Science Writing and Bragg Prize for Science Writing, and the Daisy Utemorrah Award for First Nations Writers.
Applications for the second round of 2026 Cultural Fund grants for organisations open in late-July.
Supporting the creation of new work
This year’s Create Grants attracted 58 applications from Australian authors and visual artists, including 39 applications from authors and 19 from visual artists.
Five recipients have each been awarded $20,000 to develop significant new creative work, providing time and support to progress ambitious projects.
This year’s recipients will explore a diverse range of stories and artistic practices. Sarah Kanake will write Lazarus; or, The Whale, an Australian Gothic novel set at the end of commercial whaling in Australia, while Lucy Nelson will develop The Estrangements, a novel examining the complexities of sisterhood, identity and self-deception. Matthew Lamb will complete the second volume of his acclaimed cultural biography of Frank
Moorhouse, chronicling the influential Australian author’s later career and enduring contribution to Australia’s literary and cultural landscape.
Sarah Kanake photographed by Lizzie Mynard
“This funding will give me the crucial gift of time—time to write and, importantly for me, time that does not take me away from my two little Kanakes.”
Lucy Nelson photographed by Greg Gilet
“This recognition by the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund is a hugely affirming and motivating moment in my writing career.”
Matthew Lamb photographed by Remi Chauvin
“To receive a Create Grant at this juncture is especially significant, considering Frank Moorhouse was directly involved in founding Copyright Agency as part of his larger project to support authors’ rights.”
Among the visual artists, George Egerton-Warburton will create Super Animal, an ambitious video and installation work to be exhibited at the Asia Pacific Triennial at QAGOMA, while Morgan Hogg will develop Pe’e (working title), documenting oral storytelling traditions to strengthen cultural connections between Sydney, Rarotonga and Rapa Nui.
George Egerton-Warburton photographed by Emily Brontë
“It’s a true privilege to receive a create grant, the work I will make would not exist without the support. There are so few opportunities that alleviate the stress of life and make way for something absurd.”
Morgan Hogg photographed by Garry Trinh
“This support gives me the time and resources to deepen those connections while creating new work that honours the voices and knowledge of those who have generously guided me.”
Supporting Australian literature in schools
The 2026 Reading Australia Fellowship recognises an outstanding English and literacy teacher or teacher librarian undertaking research that benefits both their professional practice and the wider teaching community.
Following a refreshed focus for this year’s Fellowship, Copyright Agency received an increased number of applications spanning a broader range of topics and areas of study. The assessment panel considered each proposal’s contribution to career development, its alignment with Reading Australia, and its potential to strengthen the teaching of Australian literature in schools.
This year’s Fellowship has been awarded to Victorian teacher Bri Hassett, whose project Writerly Reading: Developing Authentic Australian Student Voices in the Age of AI will help teachers use Australian literature to foster authentic student writing in the age of AI.
The Fellowship complements Reading Australia, developed by Copyright Agency’s Cultural Fund, which provides more than 300 curriculum-mapped resources to help teachers bring Australian literature into classrooms across the country.
Read more about the 2026 Cultural Fund recipients and funded projects at copyright.com.au/culturalfund