A new funding opportunity will open this month for performing arts projects strengthening creative exchange between Australia and France.
The French-Australian Cultural Exchange Foundation (FACEF) is introducing a Performing Arts category to its Resonance Grants in 2026, expanding the program following the launch of its Visual Arts grants last year.
The grants are designed to support creative exchange between artists, institutions and cultural leaders in Australia and France, with applications opening on 17 August.
An international jury spanning dance, theatre and festivals will determine the inaugural Performing Arts recipients.
The jury will be chaired by Didier Deschamps, Artistic Director of Festival de La Danse de Cannes and former Director of the Théâtre National de Chaillot.
He will be joined by Australian writer, director and producer John Harvey; Sydney Festival Director Kris Nelson; Théâtre national de Strasbourg Director Caroline Guiela Nguyen; Now or Never Festival Artistic Director Elise Peyronnet; theatre director, dramaturg and arts leader Marion Potts; and international cultural entrepreneur and former Cultural Attachée Karine Mauris.
The introduction of a Performing Arts stream widens the scope of FACEF’s Resonance program, which is focused on developing artistic dialogue, mobility and longer-term relationships between the two countries.
Cybèle Panagiotou, who was appointed by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs to support the development of FACEF, said bringing together experts from Australia and France reflected the foundation’s ambition to foster collaboration and help artists pursue international opportunities.
The Resonance Grants form part of FACEF’s broader work promoting cultural and intellectual exchange between Australia, France and the French Overseas Territories. Established in 2024 as an initiative of the French and Australian governments, the not-for-profit foundation works across cultural collaboration, partnerships and exchange.