MAV encourages artists and communities of colour to access public (government) and private resources for artistic and cultural development. We regularly update Avenues of Support to help inform people of opportunities that are available. This list is not exhaustive, but we try to make it as relevant and useful as possible.
Business Victoria
Courses and Webinars from 30 minutes to 11 hours, on different skills in running a business. These may be useful or accessible. They are designed by a range of different education providers and have different styles and business focuses. They are all free.
$15,000 non-acquisitive cash prize, visual arts.
Expressions of interest from emerging artists to work on site from the gallery, Lamington Drive in Naarm (Collingwood, VIC). Formerly the artists in residence program, this is a unique opportunity for four creatives to work on-site at Lamington Drive in Collingwood for a month.
Applications open until Mar 14, 6pm. Successful applicants notified on or before Fri Mar 17. Open studio: Mar 31–April 27. Group show: Fri Apr 28, 6-9pm – May 20.
Open to all artists across Australia, the Footscray Art Prize is a biennial visual art prize for contemporary artworks across multiple platforms and disciplines. Prize categories are: Main prize $20,000; local acqusition $10,000; Artist residency: $2,000. Young artists: $500 (primary & secondary school prizes). Entry fee is $35.
VMDO
The CLOCK Your Skills program aims to help music business professionals identify and consolidate their strengths and transferable skills as well as contribute to formalised qualifications. Their 3-hour workshop programs are open to professional creatives who want to validate their skills at a master’s level, irrespective of any previous formal qualifications.
The sessions will take place in-person at Music Market in Collingwood, VIC on March 22nd from 6:00PM – 9:00PM and March 26th from 2:00PM– 5:00PM.
City of Hume & JumpLeads
Free online programs including an unlimited number of places to access online resource packages and limited number of places for a six-week interactive online series of professional development workshops.
City of Greater Dandenong
Up to $10,000 for Arts Festivals and Events, or Community Development, via an organisation application; or $5,000 for individuals. They have online and in person information sessions in early March. Applicants will be notified in July, projects must occur between July 2023 - June 2024.
City of Greater Dandenong
Greater Dandenong City Council has opened a new round of Community Support grants providing a range of opportunities for non-profit organisations to apply for funding for activities and services that benefit local residents. Grant information sessions and one on one appointments are available and booking are essential. Up to $10,000.
ArtPlay
ArtPlay New Ideas Lab provides the opportunity for artists to propose new projects to undertake at ArtPlay as part of our ongoing creative program for children and families.
Up to $20,000 artist fees (together with consumables materials and equipment);
Venue/development space, marketing and some specialist staffing in-kind;
Dedicated time at ArtPlay to co-create work with children and families via the New Ideas Lab development model: Dream, Make, Show
Marketing collateral including promotional images and video
A pitch session with industry
City of Darebin FUSE Festival
Grants available between $1,000 & $15,000. These grants are available for Darebin-based artists and community organisations to present their work as part of FUSE in Autumn or Spring 2024. Information session is on 14 March at Darebin Arts Centre.
Australia Council
A residency for musicians, composers, and musical groups at UKARIA, a state of the art and environmentally sustainable Cultural Centre in the Adelaide Hills, for a maximum of ten days for the purpose of developing new creative projects led by musicians and composers. One residency of $20,000 will be offered.
APRA/AMCOS and the Australia Council
For Australian individuals, groups and organisations to increase audiences, establish a critical base of knowledge and develop new ideas within distribution platforms. It aims to encourage creators of new technology to use Australian music. Not-for-profit entities are a priority for funding. One grant of $20,000 is available.
Australia Council
Support for international publishers to translate Australian works by living authors of creative writing, and Australian publishers to translate non-English works into English by Australian translators. Australian publishers may also apply to support the translation of non-English language works to English, providing they are using an Australian translator. Contributions of AUD $5,000 per successful applicant are available.
Australia Council
Support for authors and illustrators to travel internationally to attend events and activities associated with the international publication and promotion of their work. Contributions of $5,000 per successful applicant are available for travel after 1 June 2023.
Australia Council & PPCA
Five grants of $15,000 each to support Australian artists or groups to create new sound recordings. Earliest start date: 1 July 2023.
Australia Council & Debra Porch Award
$15,000 each to support both an Australian artist and a Thai artist to undertake reciprocal residencies for 6 weeks during 2023.
St Albans Arts and Community Centre
Professional development, creative development and performance space for artists to make and present new work in the Bowery Theatre, St Albans. For Mid-career or Established Artists up to $12,000 cash contribution and for Emerging Artists, up to $4,000 cash contribution. Plus 6 days in the Bowery Theatre, 80 hours in STACC plus Tech and Front of House staff costs covered. Info session on Tuesday 21 March.
Australia Council
Support is available for literary agents, rights managers and publishers to attend international markets such as book fairs to sell rights in Australian works. Contributions of $5,000 per successful applicant are available for travel after 1 July 2023.
City of Yarra
Young people in Yarra can apply for a Youth-Led Grant of up to $3,000. You can apply individually or as part of a group. To be eligible, you must:
- be aged 16 to 25 years
- live, work, study or have a strong connection to the City of Yarra.
Applications close 31 May 2023 or once available funding has been fully allocated.
Banyule City Council
Applicants can apply for a subsidy up to $1,100 to hire Council facilities in Banyule. The program will close before the deadline if the total pool of money is exhausted. Individuals must be auspiced to apply. The project must benefit the Banyule community.
City of Merri-bek
This funding aims to support initiatives that help residents participate in community life and improve personal outcomes. Open for applications all year. Applications must be submitted at least 4 weeks prior to the activity or event. $750 for individual participation grants, up to $3,000 per year for group & membership activity grants.
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).
The Awesome Foundation
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).
The Pollock-Krasner Foundation
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. This grant is ongoing (no closing date).
Regional Arts Victoria
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.
Funding is up to $3,000 for Individuals, $5,000 for organisations. This grant is ongoing (no closing date).
Victorian Department of Families, Fairness and Housing
Funding supports activities to benefit their members and build stronger community connections. Funding available up to $8,000
Funding can be used for:
Grant recipients will also receive Public Liability Insurance (PLI) and Group Personal Accident (GPA) Insurance
CITY OF PORT PHILLIP & THE FITZROY ST BUSINESS ASSOCIATION
One year pilot project aims to transform empty spaces into vibrant places on Fitzroy Street, St Kilda. If you create or make your own wares or IP, run a creative based community group, social enterprise or NFP and are seeking low cost or rent free space you may qualify for this activation project.
Applications Now Open
CRISIS RELIEF GRANTS
For music and performing arts industry workers.
Eligibility:
There is no deadline to apply, however those experiencing hardship should submit your application as soon as possible.
Grants to promote and encourage music and the music-related performing arts:
Scholarships for the promotion and encouragement of musical and theatrical education;
The promotion and encouragement of the performing arts to the general public;
The aid or assistance of any beneficiary who is unable to adequately maintain herself/himself by her/his own exertions and other income
Individuals: up to $3,000. Groups: up to $5,000
Applications assessed four times a year.
The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is a challenging time for everyone in Australia (and the world).
This is a guide on steps you can take to look after yourself and your family financially in the Covid-19 pandemic.
It contains information about:
If you are in financial difficulty, free support is available at the National Debt Helpline: 1800 007 007. You can speak to a financial counsellor to get advice.
The arts sector has been hit hard with cancellations and disruption in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. Arts Law has put together answers to some of the most common questions they have received from artists and arts organisations.
Arts Law is a community legal service providing legal advice and support to artists and arts organisations. Where Arts Law may not be equipped to help with certain issues, particularly non-legal ones, they have linked to other services that they recommend you contact.