WA 2026-27 budget includes nearly $40m for arts, festivals and digital games
Western Australia’s 2026-27 State Budget will continue to support the State’s arts and creative industries with nearly $40 million in new and ongoing allocations, spanning major institutions, small-to-medium organisations, festivals and digital game production.
Over the next three years, the Cook Labor Government will inject an additional $9.4 million into Western Australia’s major cultural institutions: Black Swan State Theatre Company, West Australian Ballet, West Australian Symphony Orchestra, West Australian Opera and Broome-based Marrugeku dance company.
A further $7.8 million for small-to-medium arts, cultural and creative sector organisations will be provided across two years, aimed at stability for the sector. Groups previously funded under this program include Aboriginal Art Centre Hub of WA, Barking Gecko Arts, Spare Parts Puppet Theatre, Perth Symphony Orchestra, PICA, WA Youth Theatre Company, WA Youth Orchestras, Art on the Move and Magabala Books.
WA’s FRINGE WORLD festival will receive a new multi-year commitment of $4.3 million across three years. Digital game production will be backed with $2 million over two years to continue the development of Western Australian content and build local capacity in games and interactive technology.
The announcement notes video games are worth around $4.21 billion annually in Australia, with Australian-made games generating $345.5 million in export revenue in 2022. An extra $14.1 million is being added for maintenance of WA’s arts assets, described as protecting the future of the State’s creative buildings.
Creative Industries Minister Simone McGurk said the budget includes nearly $40 million for creative industries and arts organisations, adding that the funding is designed to foster and retain local talent and help artists share their work across the State and beyond.
She linked the measures to the Made in WA Plan, which she said is focused on diversifying the economy and growing creative jobs.