The Artist as Fundraiser is a free 3 hour fundraising workshop that is ideal for artists, producers and collectives looking to boost their knowledge, skills and confidence to strategically build supporter relationships and grow income from donations.

This interactive workshop will cover:

How to use the Australian Cultural Fund (ACF) donations platform
Planning your fundraising campaign (individual donations)
Building your case for support
Mapping your network and prospects
Cultivating relationships, making the ask, stewarding supporters

Join presenters Matthew Higgins, State Manager Development and Partnerships (QLD), and Tracy Woolacott, Australian Cultural Fund Manager, to learn about the support provided by the Australian Cultural Fund as well as the fundraising programs and services provided by Creative Australia.

This workshop is more suitable for independent artists and producers, small collectives and sole traders.

Light catering will be provided.

Venue Accessibility:

To view Strand Park accessibility information, please visit:

https://www.townsville.qld.gov.au/facilities-and-recreation/parks-beaches-and-community-venues/the-strand-and-beaches

To reserve accessible seating, please contact 0403 105 451 or info@nafa-tsv.com.au.

Event Partners:

North Australian Festival of Arts

This workshop has been generously supported by the North Australian Festival of Arts, enabling participation to be free for attendees.

About the presenters:

Matthew Higgins – State Manager Development and Partnerships (QLD) at Creative Australia

Matthew Higgins is a strategist and advocate whose work is grounded in the belief that arts, culture, and creativity are the heart of a thriving society - weaving the fabric of connection and community, shaping identities, igniting innovation, and forging pathways towards equity, inclusion, and resilience for all.

As State Manager Development and Partnerships (Queensland) at Creative Australia, Matthew contributes to the co-design and delivery of national arts fundraising capability programs and services. This includes a free coaching and advice service to empower artists and organisations with the knowledge, skills and confidence to cultivate private sector support through philanthropy and partnerships.

Matthew brings a wealth of experience across various art forms and business models, drawing insights from non-profits of varying sizes in both regional and metropolitan settings and a history of successfully nurturing private sector support for arts and culture. With over a decade of experience across performing arts, festivals, major events, and community-engaged practice, he has held roles at Brisbane Powerhouse, Brisbane Festival, Destination NSW, Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, Sydney Mardi Gras and Dancenorth Australia. As an independent producer, he has presented sell-out seasons at La Boite Theatre Company and World Theatre Festival. A City of Sydney Creative Fellowship recipient for his work with LGBTQIA+ artists, Matthew has also participated in an international festival leadership development program in Cyprus.

Passionate about equity, diversity and inclusion, Matthew volunteers as a member of the Queensland Government’s LGBTQIA+ Roundtable and Brisbane Powerhouse’s Melt Reference Group, having previously served on Townsville City Council’s Inclusive Communities Advisory Committee.

Tracy Woolacott – Australian Cultural Fund Manager at Creative Australia

Tracy Woolacott is passionate about the relationship between the business and creative spheres and has set out to help art makers navigate the space where these two worlds meet.

Over the past decade she has worked across fashion, publishing and fundraising with a focus on digital platforms and communications. Her experience as a crowdfunding expert across two of Australia’s largest fundraising platforms, Pozible and the Australian Cultural Fund, has uniquely positioned her to help art makers tackle the complex world of online fundraising.

She holds a Bachelor of Creative Industries (Dance) and a Bachelor of Business (Management) from Queensland University of Technology.