Rafatdca

Rafatdca Darwin Community Arts (DCA) is the Regional Program Administrator of the Regional Arts Fund in the NT

Regional Arts Fund Project Grant round closes 16 March 2026Grants of up to $30,000 are available for projectsYou can app...
20/02/2026

Regional Arts Fund Project Grant round closes 16 March 2026
Grants of up to $30,000 are available for projects

You can apply for funding to support arts projects, professional development for artists and arts workers, and community capacity-building projects.

To apply visit https://regionalarts.smartygrants.com.au/NTPG2603

photo: Garrangali Band Dancer Zac Henderson 2025, BashBands

2025 NT Quick Response recipient  - Garrangali BandThis grant supported Garrangali Band, an Aboriginal band from remote ...
02/02/2026

2025 NT Quick Response recipient - Garrangali Band

This grant supported Garrangali Band, an Aboriginal band from remote NE Arnhem Land to travel to the centre of Australia to participate in the Bush Bands Program, learning and sharing music and professional industry skills with other Indigenous acts and mentors, as well as performing at the programs culmination.

‘The band definitely impressed Alice springs crew with their show and the proud demonstration of culture was really appreciated by the local mob.’
‘The Regional Arts Fund made this trip possible. It was the first time a NE Arnhem Land homeland band had come to the area and there was a great cultural connection.’

‘The band definitely impressed Alice Springs crew with their show and the proud demonstration of culture was really appreciated by the local mob.’

2025 NT Quick Response recipient  - Olivia NigroThis grant supported Olivia Nigro to undertake a highly competitive six ...
31/01/2026

2025 NT Quick Response recipient - Olivia Nigro

This grant supported Olivia Nigro to undertake a highly competitive six month manuscript mentorship with newly launched LGBTQIA+ publisher, Incision Press to develop and refine their writing for publication. Their forthcoming title is a long form lyric essay exploring the role of intentional love in escaping intimate violence.

Testimonial: London Lit Lab founder, award winning author and mentor, Dr Lily Dunn: "After assessing Olivia’s application including manuscript extracts, I can affirm that [the 2026 Memoir Bootcamp] is an invaluable professional development opportunity for them at this point in their writing career. It is particularly timely as a consolidation of the work they have done throughout their 2025 manuscript mentorship with Sydney-based publisher, Incision Press. Their writing is beautiful and distinctive".

*Image Olivia Nigro: Typewriter

2025 NT Quick Response recipient  - Maurice O'RiordanThis grant funded the book launch of candid enigma, the artful adve...
29/01/2026

2025 NT Quick Response recipient - Maurice O'Riordan

This grant funded the book launch of candid enigma, the artful adventures of Andrew Hau Ewing, authored by Maurice O'Riordan and published by dishevel books, Darwin, at the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival in Ubud, Bali.

‘ I have benefited from UWRF's well-oiled publicity machine. A reputable bookshop in Adelaide caught wind of the book through UWRF publicity. This bookshop now stocks the book and is considering a related event in 2026.’

*Image courtesy UWRF: Launch of candid enigma with author Maurice and moderator Julia Winterflood, UWRF 2025 O'Riordan

2025 NT Quick Response recipient  - Numbulwar Numburindi ArtistsMaster weaver Janette Murrungun and emerging artist Shan...
27/01/2026

2025 NT Quick Response recipient - Numbulwar Numburindi Artists

Master weaver Janette Murrungun and emerging artist Shania Wurramarra traveled to Europe to present at an industry conference, connect with historical Numburindi collections and develop international networks.

‘Through workshops, presentations, and public programs across France, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, Numbulwar artists engaged diverse international audiences. Their weaving demonstrations and storytelling broadened awareness of Numbulwar culture, with media coverage and sales further amplifying their reach.’

‘The project increased professional development for artists Janette Murrungun and Shania Wurramara, who gained international experience, built networks, and raised their profiles. They presented at the European Society of Oceanists conference, led a successful weaving workshop at Fondation Opale, and began shaping a major cultural project with the Wereldmuseum and Dr. Louise Hamby. They designed an exhibition that will be held in Australia in 2027 featuring artefacts on loan from the Wereldmuseum and contemporary art.’

‘The project increased professional development for artists Janette Murrungun and Shania Wurramara, who gained international experience, built networks, and raised their profiles. They presented at the European Society of Oceanists conference, led a successful weaving workshop at Fondation Opale, and began shaping a major cultural project with the Wereldmuseum and Dr. Louise Hamby. They designed an exhibition that will be held in Australia in 2027 featuring artefacts on loan from the wereldmuseum and contemporary art.’

2025 NT Quick Response recipient - Munupi ArtistsThis NT Project Quick Response grant supported Munupi arts and Crafts A...
23/01/2026

2025 NT Quick Response recipient - Munupi Artists

This NT Project Quick Response grant supported Munupi arts and Crafts Association team members to attend Sydney Contemporary to engage with audiences, and build professional relationships, facilitating connections with collectors and curators.

‘Attending Sydney Contemporary was a significant step for Munupi Arts & Crafts Association. It provided invaluable exposure for our artists, connecting them with national and international audiences, collectors, and curators. The event strengthened professional networks and opened doors for future opportunities, including potential exhibitions and gallery partnerships.’

‘A highlight was watching our artists confidently share their stories and culture with new audiences. This direct engagement was both empowering for them and deeply impactful for the public.’

‘This experience has had a lasting impact, raising the profile of our artists, building their confidence and reinforcing the value of Tiwi art on a national stage.’

* Image by Munupi Arts and Crafts Association: Munupi Artists presenting their artwork at Sydney Contemporary Art Fair 2025

2025 NT Quick Response recipient  - Tiwi artistsThis Quick Response grant funded Tiwi artists to attend and perform at t...
19/12/2025

2025 NT Quick Response recipient - Tiwi artists

This Quick Response grant funded Tiwi artists to attend and perform at the opening and book launch of 'Yipapirraya arnuwujaputi / Tide going out, tide coming in' at Midpul Art Gallery at CDU in partnership with Jilamara Arts and Crafts.

By presenting Tiwi culture in Darwin’s metropolitan hub, the project reached audiences that would not normally travel to the Tiwi Islands. Attendance at the opening and book launch introduced hundreds of visitors, students, academics and arts professionals to Tiwi art, language and performance. The inclusion of Yoyi (dance) and artist talks meant the audience could meet and learn directly from artists, creating a richer, more memorable cultural exchange. This has increased the public profile of Tiwi art, broadened the cultural footprint of Jilamara Arts and generated interest for future visits and sales.

*Image Hannah Raisin: Jilamara artists Yoyi at 'Yipapirraya arnuwujaputi / Tide going out, tide coming in' exhibition celebration and book launch, 2025

2025 NT Quick Response recipient  - Tahlia Biggs to attend Yirramboi FestivalThis grant was used to support First Nation...
17/12/2025

2025 NT Quick Response recipient - Tahlia Biggs to attend Yirramboi Festival

This grant was used to support First Nations Emerging Creative Producer, Tahlia Biggs to attend Yirramboi Festival (6-10 May) in Narrm/Melbourne, Australia's largest First Nations performing arts festival.

“A real highlight for me was experiencing the strength and beauty of Indigenous storytelling through live performance. The diversity of voices and the depth of cultural expression reminded me just how important it is to make more space for First Nations narratives, both regionally and nationally. It was powerful to see traditional practices being reimagined through contemporary forms, and that continues to influence my own creative thinking.”

*Image Tahlia Biggs: Back row [Natano Fa'anana] [Gina Machado]
Front row [Tahlia Biggs] [Leroy Persons] [Lily Shearer]

2025 NT Quick Response recipient  - Northeast Arnhem Land band Wild HoneyWild Honey, an up-and-coming band from Yirrkala...
15/12/2025

2025 NT Quick Response recipient - Northeast Arnhem Land band Wild Honey

Wild Honey, an up-and-coming band from Yirrkala in Northeast Arnhem land, were funded to perform at Nightcliff Seabreeze Festival in Darwin.

Wild Honey played an energetic and captivating show to a large audience at Nightcliff Seabreeze Festival and received an incredible response from both the audiences and the festival organisers. Nightcliff expressed that they would love to have Wild Honey back next year, and the band were also approached by other events and festival organiser's about performing at their events.

Wild Honey received hundreds of new Social Media followers and significantly developed their audience.

*iImage by Nicholas Parry - Yidaki player Mikey Gurruwiwi performing at Nightcliff Seabreeze Festival

2025 NT Project Grant recipient - ‘Crown and Country’ The NT Project Grant funding supported  the national album launch ...
12/12/2025

2025 NT Project Grant recipient - ‘Crown and Country’

The NT Project Grant funding supported the national album launch of 'Crown and Country' by elders Wanta Jampijinpa Pawu-Kurlpurlurnu and Jerry Jangala Patrick OAM from Lajamanu, in collaboration with award-winning music producer Marc Peckham.

Alongside contemporary compositions by Marc Peckham, Crown and Country translated their deep intergenerational cultural knowledge into an extraordinary album that invites listeners to gain a deeper understanding of belonging, connection, and responsibility to Country. Warlpiri ceremonial song.

This national launch included the album release on ABC Music, a national marketing campaign, a community launch in Lajamanu, and an immersive installation showing at Darwin Festival, with an artists talk and cultural exchange with Larrakia Nation elders.

"We delivered sold out Crown and Country events at Darwin Festival, including a fully comped free premiere for mob at the opening weekend of Darwin Festival on Saturday 8 August, to a First Nations audience including Purple House patients and community from Darwin, a dozen students from Lajamanu School, and senior female elders from Warnayaka Art (Lajamanu art centre)."

(audience member) “It feels like it's exactly the medicine that we need for this age, this time. We have lost our way a little bit in the material world, and we've forgotten the things that are extremely important, like family, human connection, Country.”

* Image by Sophie Saville: Wanta Jampijinpa and his father Jerry Jangala

Address

Palmerston City, NT

Opening Hours

Monday 12pm - 3pm
Tuesday 12pm - 3pm
Wednesday 12pm - 3pm
Thursday 12pm - 3pm

Telephone

+61889619005

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