Artists urged to get bold and creative as funding applications close soon for barrier-breaking projects at the 2026 festival.
Melbourne Fringe is throwing the doors wide open for accessible creativity.
Round 2 applications for the Melbourne Fringe Access Fund are now open, offering artists $500–$3,000 to remove barriers and make their 2026 Festival events genuinely welcoming for d/Deaf, Disabled and neurodivergent audiences.
Fringe Access Fund
- Round 2 closes 11:59pm, Thursday 4 June 2026
- Funding range $500–$3,000 per project for registered 2026 Melbourne Fringe events
- Strong applications show co-investment and meaningful community connection
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The fund, made possible through Radical Access and Cash for Equity programs, encourages artists to think beyond basic tick-box measures.
Fringe wants ambitious, embedded access ideas woven into the DNA of the work itself, whether that’s integrating Auslan into the staging and narrative, creating multi-sensory experiences, or developing relaxed performances with sensory kits and clear audience participation guides.
Any genre is welcome. The fund supports both embedded access (built into the creative process from the start) and access service provision, though the former is especially encouraged. Artists can apply while their event registration is still in progress, with full festival registrations closing 22 May.
This initiative arrives as Melbourne’s arts community continues pushing for genuine inclusion. The Access Fund helps artists not only meet audience needs but reimagine how work can be experienced by everyone, fostering deeper engagement and richer artistic outcomes.
With outcomes for Round 2 announced 12 June, there’s still time for artists to get creative and secure support. Whether you’re a seasoned Fringe veteran or first-timer, this is a rare chance to make your show more inclusive while elevating the work itself.
Applications are via an Expression of Interest form, but the Fringe team is highly flexible — video, audio, text or other formats are all welcome.
For more information on the Melbourne Fringe Access Fund, head here.
