About the program

What is the Creative Enterprises Program?

The Creative Enterprises Program is a Victorian Government program that invests in a diverse portfolio of creative organisations across the state, over a four-year period.

The program aims to fuel creative activity for the benefit of all Victorians. It invests in organisations that can work with Government to support the resilience and growth of Victoria's creative industries; broaden the diversity of creators, artists and audiences; and enhance community engagement, access and participation in the creative industries.

The program is designed for non-government, not-for-profit creative organisations and supports their leadership, organisational infrastructure and capacity.

What’s different about this round of the program?

While continuing to offer four-year investment in creative organisations, the 2026-2029 round of Creative Enterprises has been designed to deliver a refreshed set of objectives that consider the current environment and align with Victorian Government priorities.

Please read the new Program Guidelines carefully, and ensure your application responds to the program objectives, outcomes and assessment criteria, and that you follow the application process and requirements as outlined.

When do applications open and close?

Applications will open on 23 July and will close at 3pm on 3 September.

Please subscribe to our eNews via the Creative Victoria website or follow us on social media to receive updates about the program.

Will there be information sessions?

Yes, there will be online information sessions, including a General Overview session and a First Peoples Stream session specifically for First Peoples organisations. Information sessions will provide an overview of the program for prospective applicants and will allow time for questions. All information sessions will be Auslan interpreted, and Microsoft Teams allows for live captions.

It is advised that attendees read the Program Guidelines prior to attending the sessions. Sessions and times are listed below.

Creative Enterprises Program - General Overview

Creative Enterprises Program - First Peoples Stream (First Peoples Organisations only)

There will be a session on First Peoples Cultural Competency for organisations that engage with First Peoples and/or Indigenous Cultural Intellectual Property (ICIP). This information session will cover similar content to Creative Victoria’s recent First Peoples Cultural Competency workshops.

Creative Enterprises Program 2025 – First Peoples Cultural Competency

Program streams

What are the program streams and what is the best stream to apply for?

There are three streams of the Creative Enterprises Program:

  1. First Peoples Organisations
  2. Industry Service Organisations
  3. Creative Organisations.

Please read the Program Guidelines for details on each stream and apply through the stream that best suits your organisation’s governance, purpose and activity.

What organisations can apply under the First Peoples stream?

Victorian First Peoples-led industry service organisations and creative organisations can apply under the First Peoples Organisations stream. The term First Peoples-led refers to an organisation with demonstrated First Peoples leadership, which may include the board, executive team, and staff.

There is no specific requirement for how many board members, staff, etc. need to be First Peoples for an application to be First Peoples-led. However, organisations applying through the First Peoples stream must demonstrate that their organisation is First Peoples-led in the application so that it is clear to the assessment panel.

What organisations can apply under the Industry Service Organisation?

Industry Service Organisations provide services, including representation for artists, creative workers, organisations and enterprises, which benefit our creative ecology, communities and audiences.

Industry Service Organisations perform a different function than creative organisations – they are focused on the development of their sectors and the interests of their members. The primary purpose of their business is not the development and presentation of creative content.

This stream recognises that difference and aims to better leverage industry service organisations’ ability to lead partnerships and collaboration, and to co-ordinate and deliver capability strengthening initiatives for the creative sector.

What organisations can apply under the Creative Organisations stream?

A Creative Organisation's primary business focus is the development and presentation of creative content and activity.

Can I apply under multiple streams?

Applicants should read the Program Guidelines for details of each stream and apply under the stream that best reflects the governance, purpose and activity of their organisation.

Eligibility

What type of organisations can apply for the Creative Enterprises Program?

You are eligible to apply if your organisation is a non-government organisation based in Victoria that is not-for-profit and:

  • has operated as a legally constituted entity in Australia for a minimum of four years as at 31 December 2024.
  • has been presenting professional creative programs or providing quality sector services in Victoria for four consecutive years or more.
  • has a formal governance structure including a board, annual financial budgeting and reporting, and an annual operational or business plan.
  • holds an active Australian Business Number (ABN).
  • is registered for GST.
  • Organisations currently in receipt of Creative Enterprises Program funding are required to have an average total income (inclusive of Creative Enterprises Program funding) of at least $200,000 per annum for the past three years.
  • Organisations not currently in receipt of Creative Enterprises Program funding are required to have an average total income (inclusive of Creative Victoria project funding) of at least $100,000 per annum for the past three years.

Joint applications between organisations are encouraged, where a consortium of creative organisations partner to achieve expanded impact, effectiveness and collaboration to deliver better creative outcomes for Victoria. Please note:

  • A lead organisation may apply on behalf of the partnership, the lead organisation must meet all eligibility criteria. All partners must be non-government, not-for-profit creative organisations.
  • The benefits of the partnership need to be demonstrated for all partnering organisations.
  • Formal recognition of the partnership must be provided with the application (e.g. Signed Memorandum of Understanding or other legal documentation detailing the financial and organisational contribution of each organisation).

What is considered Creative Victoria project funding?

Creative Victoria project funding refers to all one-off Creative Victoria grants received by the organisation through programs including Creative Ventures Program, Creative Projects Fund, Music Works, 10,000 Gigs: The Victorian Gig Fund, Creative Learning Partnerships, Small Regional Presenters and Touring Victoria.

What organisations are eligible under the First Peoples stream?

Victorian First Peoples-led industry service organisations and creative organisations that meet the full eligibility criteria are eligible under the First Peoples stream. The term First Peoples-led refers to an organisation with demonstrated First Peoples leadership, which may include the board, executive team, and staff.

There is no specific requirement for how many board members, staff, etc. need to be First Peoples for an application to be First Peoples-led. However, organisations applying through the First Peoples stream must demonstrate that their organisation is First Peoples-led in the application so that it is clear to the assessment panel.

What type of organisations are not eligible to apply?  

Organisations are not eligible to apply if they are:

  • A Commonwealth, state or local government agency or body
  • A state-owned cultural agency or organisation.
  • An academic/training institution or entity controlled/owned by education institutions.
  • An organisation whose primary focus is the delivery of competitions, awards or fundraising activities.
  • A publicly funded research institution
  • A trust
  • A current recipient of Creative Victoria funding through the National Performing Arts Partnership Framework

If our organisation is not currently legally constituted, can we apply to the Creative Enterprises Program?

No, your organisation must have operated as a legally constituted entity for a minimum of four years as at 31 December 2024.

To be legally constituted, your organisation will need to be a public entity (a company structure or an incorporated association) registered with either Consumer Affairs Victoria or the Australian Securities & Investment Commission (ASIC) and/or the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC).

Our organisation does not meet the eligibility criteria for the Creative Enterprises Program. Will there be other opportunities this year, such as the Creative Ventures Program?

The Creative Ventures Program will not run in the 2025/26 financial year.

Future opportunities for micro and small creative businesses will be considered in the context of the next Creative State strategy.

How to apply

How can organisations apply for Creative Enterprises Program?

Applications to the Creative Enterprises Program are submitted online, via the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions Grants Portal. A link to the portal is available on the Creative Enterprises program page on the Creative Victoria website/ will be available on the website when applications open on 23 July.

You will need to complete your online application through this Grants Portal before 3pm on the closing date, 3 September.

In addition to completing the online application questions you need to submit the required support material specified in the Program Guidelines (e.g. strategic plan, annual/operational plan, budget template, three years of audited accounts – noting, if accounts are not audited, unaudited accounts from an Accountant will be accepted.).

Please ensure you read the Program Guidelines carefully before applying, and that you allow adequate lead time to plan and complete an application that will satisfy the application requirements.

There are Application Drafting Tools to help you prepare for the online application on the Creative Enterprises Program webpage.

We also encourage you to attend a Creative Enterprises Program information session– you can register online via the program webpage.

Late applications and/or late supporting materials will not be accepted past the closing time and date.

Please note: The option to submit responses to the application questions in video or audio format is available for those with access requirements. Please contact Creative Victoria program staff to discuss before submitting via video/audio. Contact details are available on the program page.

Will someone from Creative Victoria help me with my application?

Applicants can contact program staff if they have questions, visit the program page for contact details. Please read the Program Guidelines prior to contacting staff and please note that Creative Victoria staff cannot review or give feedback on draft applications.

What is the purpose of the Program Outcomes described in the Program Guidelines, should these be addressed in our application?

Creative Enterprises Program Outcomes are aligned with Victorian Government priorities and reflect what Government wants to achieve through its investment.

The outcomes are designed to enable Creative Victoria to measure the program activity and success in achieving these outcomes over time.

In your application, please consider how your organisation will help to achieve the Program Outcomes.

As a non-First Peoples organisation that engages with First Peoples and/or Indigenous Cultural Intellectual Property – how do we demonstrate our commitment in our application?

It is expected that your organisation demonstrates that it has correct protocols in place when working with First Peoples’ artists, content or communities. Activity that does not demonstrate correct protocols will not be supported.

Specifically, for activity involving collaboration with First Peoples and/or use of Indigenous Cultural Intellectual Property (ICIP) there is an expectation that you will include:

  • First Peoples budget line items in the budget section of your application
  • letters of confirmation from First Peoples collaborators / communities

The following as appropriate:

  • cultural safety protocol strategies
  • cultural competency plan/engagement strategy for engaging First Peoples and/or the use of ICIP

You may wish to reference the following domains in your cultural competency plan:

  • Leadership and Management
  • Organisational Culture and Communication
  • Policies and Procedures
  • Learning and Development

What is Indigenous Cultural Intellectual Property (ICIP)?

ICIP may refer to artistic work, stories, languages, tangible and intangible cultural property, and contemporary and historical records. Please refer to the Arts Law ICIP webpage for more detailed information.

Please refer to Creative Australia’s Protocols For Using First Nations Cultural and Intellectual Property In The Arts. In particular, the project checklist (pages 168 to 172) can be used as a resource to guide considerations when engaging with ICIP, creatives and cultural heritage.

The Victorian Government is committed to the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and the 11 guiding principles of Aboriginal Self-Determination as identified in the First Peoples First section on the Creative Victoria website: https://creative.vic.gov.au/first-peoples/first-peoples-first

How can I demonstrate that my organisation is committed to ensuring that more Victorians are able to see themselves reflected in creative offerings and creative experiences?

The Victorian Government is committed to ensuring the state’s creative industries reflect the diversity of Victoria, and an important outcome of the Creative Enterprises Program is for more people see themselves reflected in, and accessing creative opportunities. This includes children and young people, deaf and disabled Victorians, culturally and linguistically diverse Victorians and LGBTIQA+ Victorians.

Organisations are encouraged to include evidence in their application that demonstrates a commitment to equality and inclusive practice, reaching new audiences, inclusive programming, and pathways for culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

This could include existing plans and activity already undertaken by the organisation, work that is currently underway, and action planned through the Creative Enterprises Program funding period.

How can I demonstrate that my application aligns with the next Creative State strategy when it hasn’t been released yet?

The Victorian Government is expected to launch the next Creative State strategy later this year. The Creative Enterprises Program has been designed to align with the new strategy and has been informed by the strategy consultation process.

Applicants should respond to the program criteria and other information outlined in the Program Guidelines.

Joint applications

Our organisation is eligible to apply for the Creative Enterprises Program and have been working with another liked minded organisation. Can we apply to this program as a partnership?

Yes. Joint applications between organisations are encouraged and welcomed, where a consortium of small creative organisations partner to achieve economies of scale, expand impact and collaborate.

A lead organisation should apply on behalf of the consortium and the application must demonstrate the benefits of the partnership for all partnering organisations.

The lead organisation is required to meet all of the program eligibility criteria. All partners must be non-government, not-for-profit creative organisations.

Formal recognition of the partnership must be provided with the application (e.g. Signed Memorandum of Understanding or other documentation detailing the financial and organisational contribution of each organisation).

Each partnering organisation/entity must submit all of the documents listed in the Creative Enterprises Program Guidelines under Application Support Material & Documents.

Partnership applications should also include a joint strategic plan, developed and endorsed by the partners, that sets out the shared benefits, direction, activities, arrangements/operations/management and strategy of the endeavour.

Please discuss your partnership application with the Creative Enterprises Program staff before submitting.

How do I apply as a Partnership?

If you would like to apply as a Partnership with another organisation, please read the Program Guidelines and then contact Creative Victoria program staff to discuss your application prior to submitting.

Funding

What is the duration of this funding?

Successful organisations will receive funding for a four-year term, from 2026-2029, either on a calendar or financial year basis.

How much funding can we apply for?

The minimum funding amount for this program is $100,000 per annum (for 4 years), reflecting the program’s intention to support medium to large creative organisations and smaller organisations positioned for growth at sustainable levels.

While a maximum level has not been designated, demand for Creative Victoria funding is high, and this is an extremely competitive program. Given the demand, funding requests that are predicated on significant growth will only be considered in exceptional circumstances.

Please note: The level of funding awarded may be lower than an organisation’s request.

What should be considered in terms of the funding amount requested?

While a maximum amount has not be designated, applicants must ensure their funding request is realistic and substantiated by their application. The level of funding should be commensurate with:

  • the scale of the organisation
  • the level of organisational capacity and capability
  • the organisation’s total income and financial planning

It should also consider, the organisation’s record of:

  • leveraging government funding to secure or increase other sources of income
  • producing and delivering creative content/outputs/products or services to the public or creative industries sector

As mature and established organisations, Creative Enterprises Program recipients are expected to have diverse sources of income to sustain and support the organisation’s activities and programs.

Our organisation already receives Creative Enterprises funding – does this mean we’ll be funded again?

This program is open to all eligible organisations for a four-year term. It is expected to be highly competitive, with applications assessed against the program criteria. Previous funding does not guarantee you will be awarded funding in this round.

To best position your organisation, ensure your application meets the assessment criteria and aligns with the objectives and outcomes of the program.

Applicants must not assume they will be successful or enter into commitments based on that assumption before receiving formal notification of the outcome of their application. You should plan for contingencies and consider other funding sources and options should your application be unsuccessful.

My organisation presents work internationally and the Creative Enterprises Program objectives highlight engaging with new markets. Are there any funds available for our organisation to deliver that activity?

Creative Enterprises Program funding is directed towards the operations of organisations, this may include a proportion towards programming. Organisations should describe their core activity in their application, including any international touring activity.

Organisations will need to make decisions as to how they will prioritise their available resources.

If our application is successful when will funding start?

The start date for funding will depend on your organisation’s reporting schedule, as follows:

  • If your organisation reports on a financial year basis, funding will be for the period 1 July 2026 – 30 June 2030. You will receive your first instalment in July 2026 subject to meeting your contract deliverables.
  • If your organisation reports on a calendar year basis, funding will be for the period 1 January 2026 – 31 December 2029. You will receive your first instalment in January 2026 subject to meeting your contract deliverables.

If my organisation’s application is successful for Creative Enterprises Program, what other funding can we apply for at Creative Victoria?

If your Creative Enterprises Program application is successful, your organisation will not be eligible to apply for any Creative Victoria program/project funding.

If my organisation’s application is unsuccessful for Creative Enterprises Program, what other funding can we apply for at Creative Victoria?

If your application is unsuccessful, we encourage you to apply for other funding opportunities that your organisation is eligible for. Please subscribe to our eNews via the Creative Victoria website or follow us on social media to receive updates about funding opportunities.

My organisation currently receives Creative Enterprises Program investment. If our application is unsuccessful, will there be transition funding available?

Transition funding may be considered for current calendar year program recipients who are unsuccessful in the next round. Details will be determined when the outcome of the application process is known, and will be discussed with you at the notification stage.

Assessment

What are the assessment criteria?

The assessment criteria are available in the Program Guidelines, and applicants are encouraged to read all information including program objectives and outcomes in conjunction with the assessment criteria.

The assessment criteria are as follows:

1. Alignment of your strategy with the program objectives and outcomes

2. Organisational governance, capacity and capability

3. Financial health

4a. Quality of services (for the Industry Service Organisations stream or First Peoples Industry Organisations)

4b. Creative impact (for the Creative Organisations stream or First Peoples Creative Organisations)

What is the assessment process?

  1. Each application will undergo an eligibility check.
  2. Eligible applications will undergo a due diligence check and any adverse findings may be taken into consideration during the assessment process, such as:
  • the applicant has overdue grant acquittals; the organisation/business is, or notice has been given to be, placed under external administration; a petition for bankruptcy has been presented, or the winding up/deregistration of an organisation/business has been initiated.
  • any information provided in the application may be shared and subject to verification with other government departments/agencies as required.
  1. Eligible applications are then assessed against the program’s equally weighted assessment criteria by the assessment panel in the stream that the applicant has chosen.

    Note: All eligible applications from non-First Peoples organisations that contain Indigenous Cultural Intellectual Property (ICIP) and/or engage with First Peoples communities may also be reviewed by a First Peoples panel. Findings and recommendations from steps 1, 2 and 3 will be moderated by Creative Victoria’s Oversight Committee to develop a final list of recommendations that:

    • reflects the programs outcomes and objectives against value for money
    • ensures a balance of creative disciplines, diversity of creatives and geographical location of recipients and activity aligned to government priorities
    • have been considered against relevant due diligence checks.
  2. The final list of recommendations is subject to approval by the Minister for Creative Industries.
  3. All applicants will be advised in writing via email of the outcome of their application approximately 16 weeks from the closing date.

Who assesses the applications?

Advisory Panels assess grant applications and make recommendations to the Minister for Creative Industries. Creative Victoria’s Advisory Panels are groups of people with skills and experience within the arts, creative and other complementary sectors who bring independent and specialist knowledge to the grant assessment process.

For the Creative Enterprises Program, the following approach will be applied to assessment panels:

  • First Peoples Organisations stream - In alignment with Aboriginal self-determination, applications from Victorian First Peoples-led organisations will be assessed by a panel of First Peoples creative industries advisors.
  • Industry Service Organisations stream and Creative Organisations stream - Applications will be assessed by panels whose members have strong creative industries business leadership and management skills, industry expertise, and diverse creative industries/practices, expertise and knowledge.

Please note: If your application is in the Industry Service Organisations stream or the Creative Organisations stream and includes First Peoples activities, it will be subject to a review process and where required may progress to a Cultural Protocol Review panel comprised of First Peoples professionals from the creative industries. Your application must demonstrate adherence to cultural protocols to receive support. For guidance on how to demonstrate cultural protocols, please refer to section 6 of the Program Guidelines.

How will the First Peoples stream be assessed?

In alignment with Aboriginal self-determination, applications from Victorian First Peoples Organisations will be assessed by a panel of First Peoples creative industries advisors who will be looking particularly at applications that:

  • Embed First Peoples knowledge, practice, protocols and cultural authority in Victoria’s creative industries. This includes working closely with Victorian Traditional Owner Custodians.
  • Ensure that Victorian First Peoples can work, create, practice and experience according to their ways of knowing, being and doing. This includes a focus on Victorian Traditional Owner Custodians practicing on their ancestral Country.
  • Improve self-determination and autonomy in creative pursuits for Victorian First Peoples.

We are not a First Peoples organisation but we work with and engage First Peoples and/or Indigenous Cultural Intellectual Property (ICIP). How will our application be assessed?

Applications to the other two streams (Industry Service Organisations and Creative Organisations) from non-First Peoples organisations that contain First Peoples content will be subject to a review process, and where required, may progress to a Cultural Protocol Review panel comprised of First Peoples professionals from the creative industries.

Your application must demonstrate adherence to cultural protocols to receive support. For guidance on how to demonstrate cultural protocols, please refer to section 6 of the Creative Enterprises Program Guidelines.

Notification stage

When will we find out if we are successful?

We expect to notify successful applicants in December 2025.