Why the 2026 Federal Budget Matters for First Nations Arts

By Lorrayne Fishenden, CEO, Aboriginal Regional Arts Alliance NSW (ARAA)

The release of the 2026–27 Federal Budget has once again highlighted the important role First Nations arts and culture plays in shaping Australia’s identity, economy, and future. While this year’s Budget did not deliver a major expansion of investment into the sector, it did reaffirm the Federal Government’s continued commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts, languages, and cultural leadership through existing programs and policy frameworks.

For organisations like the Aboriginal Regional Arts Alliance NSW (ARAA), these investments matter deeply, particularly for Aboriginal artists, creatives, cultural workers, and communities living in regional and remote New South Wales.

At its core, First Nations arts is not simply about exhibitions or performances. It is about cultural preservation, truth-telling, intergenerational knowledge transfer, economic participation, healing, and self-determination. Every investment into our artists and cultural organisations creates ripple effects that strengthen communities socially, culturally, and economically.

The Budget confirmed continued support for key programs including the Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support (IVAIS) program and Indigenous Languages and Arts initiatives, alongside ongoing implementation of the Federal Government’s national cultural policy, Revive. Importantly, the “First Nations First” pillar of Revive continues to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures as central to Australia’s national identity.

We also saw continued investment through Creative Australia and ongoing support for cultural infrastructure projects such as the Aboriginal Cultural Centre in Perth. These initiatives are positive signals that First Nations storytelling, language revitalisation, and cultural practice remain priorities within the national arts landscape.

However, many in the sector were hoping for stronger, transformative investment  particularly for regional and remote communities where access to opportunities, infrastructure, and long-term operational support remains limited.

Across Regional NSW, Aboriginal artists continue to face barriers including geographic isolation, limited access to markets, under-resourced creative infrastructure, digital inequity, and short-term project funding models that make sustainable growth difficult. While targeted programs provide valuable support, there is still significant work to be done to build long-term economic and cultural sustainability for Aboriginal-led organisations and creative enterprises.

At ARAA, we see firsthand the extraordinary strength, talent, and innovation that exists within our communities. From visual artists and curators to weavers, writers, performers, designers, and cultural practitioners, our artists are not only preserving culture they are shaping contemporary Australia and contributing to thriving regional economies.

What we need moving forward is investment that matches the scale of this contribution.

This means long-term operational funding for Aboriginal-led organisations, increased investment in regional cultural infrastructure, greater support for creative workforce development, expanded pathways into markets, education, and international opportunities, and stronger investment in language revitalisation and intergenerational cultural transfer. It also means funding models that genuinely prioritise self-determination and community leadership.

The arts sector cannot continue operating in survival mode. Aboriginal arts organisations are delivering outcomes far beyond the arts alone — supporting wellbeing, employment, youth engagement, education, tourism, and community cohesion.

Despite the challenges, this Budget reinforces that First Nations arts remains firmly on the national agenda. It is now critical that future investment moves beyond maintenance and into genuine growth and transformation.

At ARAA, we will continue advocating for regional and remote Aboriginal artists and communities, ensuring our voices are heard and our cultures continue to thrive for generations to come.

Because when Aboriginal arts and culture are invested in, Australia as a whole benefits.