Local arts organisations will be enabled to develop and promote arts and cultural events for tourists across regional Australia under the Morrison Government’s $5 million Regional Arts Fund (RAF) Cultural Tourism Accelerator program, launched today.

Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said the $5 million program will support regional artists, arts workers and organisations to develop new events, programs and performance opportunities that will attract audiences from across the nation.

“The arts and cultural sector is a key contributor to the prosperity of Australia’s regional economy and will play a strong role in bringing tourists back to the regions,” Minister Fletcher said.

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, the Hon Dan Tehan MP, said the program would be critical to boosting local economies through cultural tourism.

“Promoting arts and cultural events across our regions will support jobs and businesses in tourism, hospitality, accommodation, and retail – providing a major uplift to regional communities and their local economies,” Minister Tehan said.

Regional Arts Australia welcomes this investment in regional arts and tourism.