The Arts Levy Program for 2026 - 2027
Allocation of revenue collected
Council demonstrates its commitment to supporting arts and cultural heritage outcomes through the collection of the Levy, recognising the important role that both sectors and industries play in shaping and influencing our sense of community, belonging, cultural vitality and identity in a time of unprecedented growth and change.
Revenue collected from the Levy is allocated towards the Heritage & Art Levy Programs developed in alignment with their relevant strategies and priorities.
The revenue collected for the Arts levy budget is assigned by aiming to achieve the goals of the Sunshine Coast Creative Arts Plan 2023 – 2038 (SCCAP).
| Program | Description | Budget |
| Arts grants, funding and partnerships | Grants, funding and partnerships to support key regional arts initiatives and organisations. | $400,900 |
| Regional Gallery | Implement a revenue priority to maintain current service levels, with levers to include retail sales and merchandising; grants, funding and sponsorship; ticket sales, memberships and philanthropy. | $90,000 |
| First Nations arts | First Nations arts activity developed in consultation with the Sunshine Coast Arts Advisory Board and First Nations Reference Group and in alignment with the First Nations Strategic Arts Plan and RAP objectives. | $80,000 |
| Horizon and Cultural Olympiad readiness | Support Horizon to lead cultural Olympiad sector readiness for the region as per 2032 Legacy Plan, including reimagining Horizon from a standalone festival to a year-round cultural platform to:
This staged transition—through aligning and connecting what already exists, then gradually building depth and scale as capacity and investment allow—is a sustainable model that works within tight budgets, reduces duplication, and steadily grows a stronger, more visible cultural ecosystem over time. | $870,000 |
| RESTRICTED: Cultural Olympiad Futures Fund | Restricted fund with a cumulative allocation to support our contractual obligations in delivering cultural activation aligned to Brisbane 2032. | $160,100 |