Dedicated First Peoples funding

The first pillar of the Victorian Government’s Creative State 2028  strategy is ‘First Peoples first’. Creative Victoria is committed to strengthening First Peoples participation across Victoria’s creative industries.

To maximise opportunities and representation for First Peoples across Victoria’s cultural sector, each Creative Victoria grant program has a dedicated First Peoples stream. First Peoples streams are open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living in Victoria.

First Peoples funding streams

Grant applications led by Victorian First Peoples creatives, creative entities, groups, organisations, and collectives can choose to apply to the First Peoples stream for each program. First Peoples stream applications are assessed in alignment with Aboriginal self-determination principles by a panel of First Peoples creative industries peers.

The term ‘First Peoples-led’ applies to the individual creative practitioners, organisational staff, and/or collective members. This does not include First Peoples advisory committees, governing boards, or similar bodies.

There is no specific requirement for how many members of the collective need to be First Peoples for an application to be First Peoples-led. This can differ depending on the nature of the activity. We understand that First Peoples-led collectives may have non-First Peoples members and collaborators. However, the applicant must demonstrate that the activity is First Peoples-led.

First Peoples Stream Assessment process

Across all Creative Victoria programs, applications submitted to the First Peoples Stream undergo the following assessment process:

1. Creative Victoria program staff complete application eligibility checks.
2. Eligible applications are assessed by a panel of First Peoples creative industry peers. The panel assess applications against the grant program outcomes, objectives, and equally weighted assessment criteria.
3. Once assessed by peers, recommended applications will undergo a due diligence check.
4. Findings and recommendations from steps 1, 2 and 3 may be moderated by Creative Victoria to develop a final list of recommendations.
5. The final list of recommendations is subject to approval by the Minister for Creative Industries.
6. Applicants are advised in writing via email of the outcome of their application. Notification timelines vary, and are listed on each program's webpage.

Creative Victoria’s First Peoples Applicant Toolkit

The First Peoples Applicant Toolkit is a practical resource designed to support First Peoples in preparing and submitting an application to Creative Victoria funding programs.