Surf Coast Events
Round 1 Open 1 - 30 April 2024
Round 2 Open 1 - 31 October 2024
Event Producers

Councils Event Grants and Sponsorship Program provides support to events that foster economic, community and/or cultural development, prioritise positive environmental outcomes and demonstrates a commitment to the inclusion of people with disabilities.

The program is available to not-for-profit and commercial event organisers that hold an event in the Surf Coast Shire.

Creative Brimbank
Closes 1 May
Theatre-makers, performing artists

A Bowery Theatre Residency provides a professional development, creative development and performance space for artists to make and present new work in the Bowery Theatre and at St Albans Community Centre (STACC) with and for the Brimbank community.

There are two residency categories:

1. Mid-career or Established Performing Artist/s with up to $12,000 cash contribution.

2. Young and Emerging Artist/s (under 30 years and / or emerging is usually considered within the first five years of their arts practice or establishment) with up to $4,000 cash contribution.

Winston Churchill Trust
Closes 1 May 2024
For Australian citizens and permanent residents.

A Churchill Fellowship offers Australian citizens and permanent residents a life-changing opportunity to travel overseas for four to eight weeks to learn more about a topic or issue that they are passionate about.

You don’t need an academic qualification to apply, in fact you don’t need to have finished school. You can do a Churchill Fellowship on any topic, provided there is a benefit to Australia and your community by you sharing your knowledge or skills.

City of Hobsons Bay
Closes 2 May 2024
For groups or organisations

Do you have ideas and initiatives which can help support people in our community? Is your group or organisation looking at innovative ways to meet a local need?

The Hobsons Bay Make it Happen grants program provides funding to support our community to ‘make things happen’.

The program can provide support to enable activities, projects, programs, events and resources across all sectors including environment, sustainability, sport and recreation, arts and culture, health and wellbeing, multicultural, community and neighbourhood development, technology, projects by and for young people, children and families, and more.

City of Hobsons Bay
Closes 6 May
Workshop facilitators, curators, artists

Woods Street Arts Space is a multi-purpose creative space in Laverton, and it is free to use for eligible artists, creatives and community groups.

Programs at Woods Street Arts Space explore creativity, the environment, multiculturalism and community through art, dance, theatre, design, music and more — while celebrating all that we love about Laverton.

If you’re interested in hosting a workshop, curating an exhibition, or undertaking a residency in the space, we’d love to hear from you! Get in touch with our team via email to discuss your project: arts@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au.

The National Library
Closes 6 May 2024
Writers, creative artists

Creative Arts Fellowships offer $10,000 to support writers and artists to spend four weeks at the National Library researching and developing a new artistic concept, artwork or body of work inspired or informed by the collections.

Using our collections, creative artists can progress or complete a new artwork or body of work. Artists may be working in any medium other than writing. This may include music, dance, visual arts, emerging or experimental artforms.

The Creative Arts Fellowship is supported by generous patrons of the National Library of Australia.

The National Library
Closes 6 May 204
Writers

Using our collections, writers working in any literary genre can progress or complete a new creative work. This may include writing for performance, poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction (which is sufficiently innovative, writerly or reflective), personal essays or graphic novels, but does not include works of general non-fiction, such as history or biography.

The Creative Arts Fellowship for Australian Writing is supported by the Ray Mathew and Eva Kollsman Trust.

Bayside City Council
Closes 8 May 2024
Not-for-profit groups

Bayside City Council's Annual Community Grants program supports initiatives proposed by community groups which strengthen and enrich community life through the provision of an improved range of leisure, cultural, community development, environmental, health, education, sporting and welfare programs and activities.

Grants of up to $7,500 each are considered for initiatives by eligible community groups that meet the objectives of Council's Grants Policy and the Annual Community Grants Guidelines.

Common Ground
Closes 13 May
For Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders

Grounded Story is Common Ground's first-ever grant round. We’re hoping this will be the first of many grant rounds, where we distribute funds to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander storytellers to create a storytelling project based on a theme we provide.

We are distributing $5,000 to four First Nations creatives, to create and share a storytelling project that links to the theme spirit. Spirit is at the heart of First Nations cultures, and connects us to Country, each other, and ourselves. Spirit energises us, nurtures us, inspires us and guides us.

Dancehouse
Closes 15 May 2024
For independent Choreographers

Dancehouse, in partnership with Insite Arts and with support of Creative Australia, is thrilled to announce a new pilot Independent Choreographers Program (ICP) 2024.

The Independent Choreographers Program (ICP) is an artist professional development initiative to build and support the voices, practices, and livelihoods of independent Australian choreographers. The program encourages independent choreographers to connect with others and invest time in their creativity, practice, skills, knowledge, confidence and networks.

Punctum and Dancehouse
Closes 15 May 2024
For regional based dance artists

Dancehouse and Punctum are delighted to announce a two-part On Residence for a regionally-based dance artist/s to develop an experiment across 2024 in Bendigo, and 2025 in Melbourne.

The Punctum X Dancehouse On Residence opportunity is for regionally-based artists undertaking experiments that connect with one or many layers of place.

This On Residence opportunity offers 4-weeks over two parts: Part 1 in 2024, is hosted by Punctum in association with Bendigo Venues and Events; Part 2 in 2025 is hosted by Dancehouse (the dates of Part 2 are negotiable).

Dancehouse
Closes 15 May 2024
For new or existing live dance projects

Dancehouse is offering opportunities for new or existing live dance projects to be presented at Dancehouse in October during the 2024 Melbourne Fringe.

In 2024, two works selected at Dancehouse will receive a Fringe Commission of $2,500 to support their presentation.

Dancehouse
Closes 15 May 2024
Dancers, choreographers, movement practitioners

Dancehouse invites Australian independent dance artists to propose projects for Dancehouse’s 2025 seasons (and beyond).

Dancehouse seasons are a deliberate mix of artistic voices, styles, genres and works: from new works to remounts; projects by emerging and established artists; from pure movement to expanded choreographies; from projects about dance to projects that involve audiences dancing; theatrical black box productions to white box installations; improvisation nights to all style battles. All dance is welcome.

City of Port Phillip
Closes 20 May 2024
Professional visual artists

The Rupert Bunny Foundation Visual Arts Fellowship (RBFVAF) was established in 2005. The RBFVAF aims to support a contemporary visual artist with an identifiable commitment to visual arts excellence. The successful Fellow will have a desire to extend their arts practice to a new level, expand their imagination and make a contribution to the City of Port Phillip through either or all of the following:

• Conduct research and development.

• Produce an artwork or artworks.

• Travel or take up a residency.

• Donate artwork to the Port Phillip City Collection.

The RBFVAF grants an acquisitive award of $30,000 in support of professional development and excellence in contemporary visual art.

Darebin Council
Closes 31 May
Not-for-profit community groups or organisations

Our Community Grants program supports projects that make Darebin a better, healthier, sustainable and more inclusive place.

Do you have great ideas on how to create a better Darebin? It’s time to apply for our annual Community Grants.

Creative Australia
Closes 4 June 2024
For performing artists, producers and organisations.

Playing Australia Project Investment supports performing arts tours to reach regional and remote communities across Australia.

The program supports net touring costs and other designated costs associated with tours. There is no limit on the amount that can be requested.

Another round opens 1 October and close 1 December 2024.

Varuna
Closes 11 July 2024
For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander writers

This prestigious program started in 2017, and we acknowledge the support of The Copyright Agency Cultural Fund in its establishment.

Five fellowships will be awarded to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander writers from anywhere in Australia.

This fellowship program is open to writers of all genres of fiction, narrative non-fiction, poetry, children's books, graphic novels, dramatic/screen writing, writing for radio, translation, young adult, essays or short fiction. Submissions in language are welcomed.

Copyright Agency Partnerships (CAP) and Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (PICA)
Closes 11 June 2024
Mid-career and established visual artists

Copyright Agency Partnerships (CAP) is an annual series to support major commissions for mid-career and established visual artists in partnership with leading cultural organisations around Australia.

One visual artist or collective will be selected from a competitive application process to develop and present a major new commission with PICA.

The total value of this grant is $80,000, inclusive of a $40,000 artist fee and $40,000 production and project funds towards the development and presentation of a new commission.

The Ian Potter Cultural Trust
Closes 18 June 2024
For early-career artists

The Ian Potter Cultural Trust runs three funding rounds per year, through which individual artists can apply for grants of up to $15,000.

The Trust funds nationally and supports artists working across the spectrum of the arts, from traditional art forms through to experimental mediums.

Copyright Agency
Closes 24 June 2024
Writers aged 18 - 35

The Copyright Agency Frank Moorhouse Fellowship for Young Writers will support a writer aged 18-35 years to develop and write a new work of fiction.

Named in honour of the late Frank Moorhouse, the Fellowship will provide a genuine career development opportunity for a young fiction writer who has not yet published a full-length work of fiction.

The Fellowship is essentially a living allowance to create a new work of fiction. It may also be used for mentoring costs.

University of South Australia
Closes 30 June 2024
Practice-led visual artist student, or graduates.

The annual scholarships enable Australian artists to develop their artistic capacities and skills through a dedicated period of practice-based learning.

Each scholarship covers reasonable costs for twelve months overseas, including institutional fees for one academic year of study (where applicable), a generous tax-exempt stipend of $70,000, return airfares, and travel and medical insurance.

Pride Foundation Australia
Closes 17 July 2024
For projects that directly, or indirectly assist, involve and benefit LGBTQIA+ people.

The Small Grants program supports projects proposed by individuals and or organisations and or communities who would otherwise be limited by the constraints of other funding programs.

The maximum grant has been increased to $1000 in 2022 and there will be more grants awarded (if successful) each round.

Another final round for 2024 opens 5 August 2024, and closes 18 November 2024.

Copyright Agency
Closes 22 July 2024
For established authors

The Copyright Agency’s Author Fellowship will support an established Australian author to create a new work for publication or performance and is open to novelists, playwrights, poets, children’s and young adult writers, picture book illustrators and journalists.

The Fellowship will provide sustained support for a year to one Australian author to create a significant new work (or a series of books if writing for children and young adults). Applicants should submit a compelling and detailed description of their project accompanied by a writing sample to demonstrate their literary merit.

Copyright Agency
Closes 22 July 2024
Published authors

The Copyright Agency’s Fellowship for Non-Fiction Writing will support an Australian author to create a significant new work of literary non-fiction. This includes: memoir, biography, autobiography, history, criticism and review, arts/science writing, political analysis, writing on the environment, and/or other genres which contribute to the national discussion/polemic.

The Fellowship will provide sustained support for a year to one Australian writer to create an important work for publication. Applicants should submit a compelling description of their intended project accompanied by a writing sample to demonstrate their literary merit.

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Ongoing

The Direct Aid Program (DAP) is a small grants program funded from Australia's aid budget. It has the flexibility to work with local communities in developing countries on projects that reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development consistent with Australia's national interest.

It sits alongside Australia's longer-term country and multilateral development strategies and with its wide geographical reach plays an important role in supporting local community efforts towards poverty reduction across the globe.

EastWeb
Open four times a year
For organisations and groups

We make grants of between $2000 and $5000 four times a year.

In 2024, we will be trialling some proactive granting, providing unrestricted organisational funding to organisations and groups that work in our focus areas. Advisory Board members will be recommending and reviewing organisations to support.

We’re especially keen to support organisations that are First Nations led, or refugee and asylum seeker led, and organisations that are youth-led

First Draft
Ongoing
For early career Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander curators

The First Peoples Curators Program supports early career Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander curators with new skills, professional presentation and development opportunities, and access to key industry networks.

Successful applicants receive: $1500 curator fee per exhibition; $600 artist fee per artist capped at $3000; access to travel fund up to $1000 if regional or interstate based; a fully subsidised six-week exhibition and more.

Australian Children’s Television Foundation
Ongoing

We engage with Australian producers and writers at the earliest stages of development, investing small amounts across a broad range of projects. Projects are assessed for quality and potential.

Development Funding 2024

The ACTF accepts development funding applications at any time via the ACTF Funding Portal. Turnaround time for assessment and decisions will vary depending on volume of applications received, and whether the ACTF requires further documentation or information from you once your application has been submitted.

Support Act
Ongoing
For those working in all genres of music

Crisis Relief Grants and support are available to musicians, managers, crew and music workers across all genres experiencing financial hardship as the result of illness, injury, mental health, older age or another current crisis that is impacting their ability to work in music.

Grants are assessed for a current issue impacting ability to work in music and, if approved, will be provided through direct payment of bills or other personal expenses related to the crisis, rather than cash grants. Evidence of a current crisis will be required.

Creative Australia
Ongoing

The Australian Cultural Fund (ACF) is a fundraising platform for Australian artists. Through the ACF, artists upload their project, start their fundraising campaign and invite art lovers and supporters to donate with 100% of donations going directly towards artists’ creative projects. Through the ACF you can offer tax deductibility to your donors. The ACF has helped raise millions of dollars for Australian artists, enabling a wide range of projects to come to life and offering support to Australia’s cultural sector.

Screen Australia
Ongoing
Filmmakers, screen producers.

International Pitching Events and Talent Labs provides support to producers selected for competitive overseas pitching events in order for them to secure finance, production and marketplace partners for Australian projects, or for key creatives invited to attend premium overseas talent labs to enable professional development and to build international industry networks. $5000 to $20,000 funding available.

City of Greater Dandenong
Individuals and Organisations

The Community Response Grants Program allows individuals and non-profit community organisations to apply for small responsive grants to help them to achieve their goals and ambitions.

Individuals can apply for up to $500, and non-profit community organisations can apply for up to $2000.

Victorian Government
Ongoing until March 2025
Casual and contract workers

The Victorian Government is helping more casual, contract and self-employed workers access sick and carer’s pay, by increasing the number of jobs covered by the Victorian Sick Pay Guarantee.

The Australia-first initiative gives eligible workers access to up to 38 hours a year of sick and carer’s pay at the national minimum wage ($23.23 per hour) to workers in certain jobs.

Creative Australia
Ongoing
Entrepreneurs

Ignite Small Business Start-Ups offers free, personalised support to help you start or expand a thriving small business, providing expert guidance, creative marketing strategies, assistance with business basics and legal compliance, access to skilled volunteers, and flexible meeting options. This grant is ongoing (no closing date).

The Awesome Foundation
Ongoing
Creators and projects

The Foundation distributes $1,000 grants, no strings attached, to projects and their creators. At each fully autonomous chapter, the money is pooled together from the coffers of ten or so self-organizing “micro-trustees”.

You can apply to any chapter although sometimes preference is for projects in the chapter's local area. This grant is ongoing (no closing date).

Regional Arts Victoria
Ongoing
Artists and arts workers, small projects

Quick Response Grants are intended to assist regional artists, arts organisations and communities to take up professional or skills development or small project opportunities.

This program is for projects that fall outside the scope of other funding opportunities. It is open to applications on an ongoing basis throughout the year. The grants will fund professional development opportunities for artists and arts workers or small project opportunities.

VicScreen
Ongoing
Screen practitioners, filmmakers and crew

VicScreen's Industry Development program supports organisations to deliver professional skills development activities in Victoria, to promote and support gender equality, diversity and inclusion.

Grants of up to $50,000 per applicant are open to support activities of the successful applicants. Organisations must have screen industry experience. Applications can be received at any time.

City of Whittlesea
Ongoing
For outcomes that benefit the Whittlesea community.

The City of Whittlsea are offering grants for individuals monthly up to $1000 for small grants, medium grants of up to $20,000 monthly and large grants quarterly of up to $40,000 for social enterprises, not-for-profit community groups, organisations and businesses to undertake activities that have a broad community benefit.

The Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation
Ongoing
Visual Artists

A Canadian philanthropic grant that supports early career visual artists between the ages of 18 and 41 years, in representational styles of drawing, painting, printmaking and sculpture, for a work, project or course of study.

All nationalities may apply. First grant amount is $17,000 (Canadian). This grant is ongoing throughout the year (no closing date).

City of Port Phillip
Until funds are exhausted
Live music support scheme

Through this initiative, council will pay a contribution towards artist fees to encourage local venues, promoters, and event managers to plan live music events and engage local performers.

All applicants must be applying for musicians to perform at venues and events based in the City of Port Phillip.

The Pollack-Krasner Foundation
Ongoing
Visual Artists

For painters, sculptors and artists who work on paper, including printmaker. Up to $30,000 to create new work, acquire supplies, rent studio space, prepare for exhibitions, attend a residency and offset living expenses.

Grants are intended for a one-year period of time. The size of the grant is determined by the individual circumstances of the artist. Professional exhibition history will be taken into consideration. Artists must be actively exhibiting their current work in professional artistic venues, such as gallery and museum spaces.

AFTRS
Ongoing
Film, Television and Radio School

To inspire creativity and innovation, The Australian Film, Television, Radio School want to work with students from diverse backgrounds.

To achieve this, they offer a range of scholarships that recognise excellence and assist with the costs associated with higher education.

A variety of financial support options, which you may be able to access include AFTRS Scholarships.