Local organisations, neighbourhood groups and creative community members are invited to take part in UPSTAGEING Canberra, our first large-scale Creative Ageing Arts Festival, launching in March 2026.

Proudly presented by COTA ACT, the festival celebrates the bold, brilliant and diverse creative expression of older Canberrans. From theatre and visual arts to dance, music, film and hands-on workshops, UPSTAGEING is all about amplifying creativity in later life – and giving every older person the chance to shine.

To help bring community-driven ideas to life, the festival is offering a series of small seeding grants of up to $250, generously sponsored by Arcare Aged Care, for activities and events held between 20–29 March 2026. You don’t need an ABN or a formal organisational structure – just a great idea that connects people, celebrates creative ageing and takes place right here in the ACT.

Grants are open to ACT-based groups and organisations, including schools, retirement villages, aged care facilities, multicultural associations, arts collectives, sporting clubs, Community Sheds and informal neighbourhood networks. Activities should promote participation, creativity and community spirit.

Whether it’s an arts workshop, a performance, a storytelling project, or a neighbourhood collaboration, the possibilities are wide open. Ideas could include a Window Gallery Walk showcasing residents’ artwork, a Sit-Down Disco for people with limited mobility, a Living Library where seniors share stories with students or a School Choir & Grandparents’ Morning Tea celebrating intergenerational connection through song. Projects might explore memoir writing, cultural heritage, music-making, collaborative art installations, intergenerational conversations or any creative activity that highlights the rich experiences and/or talents of older people.

With Arcare’s support, UPSTAGEING Canberra is ready to help your idea flourish.

Applications open now – get ready to celebrate creative ageing in your community.

For more information, visit www.cotaact.org.au/upstageing