General
What is the Creative Projects Fund?
The Creative Projects Fund is an open, competitive funding program that invests in the independent creative sector and projects in all creative fields.
The 2026round provides professional artists, creative practitioners, groups/collectives and micro to small organisations with one off funding to develop and/or present and launch creative work or build their careers.
Applications for all streams open on Thursday, 19 March 2026.
Applications for all streams close at 3pm on Thursday 16 April 2026 at 3pm.
This round supports activities starting from 1 October 2026 onwards. Your project must conclude within 18 months from this date.
What kind of projects will the program support?
The Creative Projects Fund supports projects led by Victorian professional artists, creative practitioners, groups/collectives, and creative micro to small organisations. It can also include projects collaborating with creative and non-creative personnel (such as technicians, publicists etc).
Funding can be used to:
- develop new creative content, products or experiences
- present and/or launch work to reach new markets
- invest in innovative ideas
- support collaborations and partnerships
How much funding is available?
Applicants can apply for a grant between $10,000 and $30,000.
While all applicants are encouraged to include accessibility costs within their project budget, applicants applying through the Deaf and Disabled stream may apply for an additional amount of up to $3,000 on top of the general project costs to cover specific accessibility expenses for Deaf and Disabled participants.
Is the program open to a range of creative disciplines?
Yes. Applications are encouraged from a wide range of creative disciplines, including but not limited to screen, digital games, design, visual arts/craft, literature, dance/physical performance, circus, cabaret, music, sound art, theatre, multidisciplinary and cross-industry collaborations.
Please note, screen activities that can be funded through VicScreen’s programs will not be funded by this program.
Is there a round of the Music Works program being delivered in 2026?
Yes, planning for the 2026 Music Works program – focused in the contemporary music sector – is underway. Details will be added to our funding calendar and promoted via Creative Victoria’s social media channels soon.
Can I apply to the Creative Projects Fund for a contemporary music project?
Yes, applications for contemporary music projects can be submitted to the Creative Projects Fund 2026 round.
Why isn’t Uncovering Talent available this round?
Uncovering Talent was a focus area of the Creative Projects Fund in 2025 and was designed for applicants who had never received Creative Victoria funding before. While there isn’t a separate focus area in this round, the Creative Projects Fund 2026 round encourages applications from new applicants and creatives at any stage of their career.
Why has the funding range increased compared to previous rounds of the program?
This round offers an increased funding range to better reflect rising production and presentation costs – including those experienced in regional settings – and to strengthen overall project viability. This responds to feedback from the sector.
If my application is successful, when will the funding period start?
This round supports activities commencing 1 October 2026. Your project must conclude within 18 months from this date.
If my application is successful, when will the grant payment be made?
If your application is successful, you will receive a Common Funding Agreement, and you must confirm your acceptance of the agreement.
The payment schedule and any relevant funding deliverables/milestones will be outlined in the funding agreement.
Once the agreement has been executed (i.e. accepted by the recipient and Creative Victoria), and you have satisfied any conditions and provided us with an invoice, then the grant payment will be made.
Does the grant amount include GST?
No. Listed funding amounts for this program exclude GST. If your application is successful and you are registered for GST, Creative Victoria will pay the grant amount plus GST.
I have a questions about the Creative Projects Fund – who can I contact?
We encourage you to read the Creative Projects Fund guidelines and Frequently Asked Questions prior to contacting program staff with any specific enquiries relating to your application.
If you still have questions, please contact staff via email. The email addresses for each stream are listed in the table below. The program team will aim to get back to you within 48 hours, during business hours (between 9am-5pm).
Stream/Creative Discipline | Contact |
First Peoples applicants | First Peoples applicants can email firstpeoplesgrants@creative.vic.gov.auwith any specific eligibility or application-based questions, or to arrange a time to speak with First Peoples program staff. If you are NOT a First Peoples applicant but your application includes First Peoples activity, please email programs@creative.vic.gov.au |
General stream applicants | General stream applicants can email programs@creative.vic.gov.au with any specific eligibility or application-related questions. Due to the high volume of applications expected for this round of the program, Creative Victoria is unable to take general application phone enquiries. |
Deaf and Disabled applicants | Deaf and Disabled applicants can email programs@creative.vic.gov.au with any specific access, eligibility or application-based questions, or to arrange a time to speak with program staff directly. |
English is not my first language and I require assistance via translation and interpreting. Is there a way for me to access services and find out more about this program?
Yes. For help with translations please call the Translating and Interpreting Service. The process for contacting Creative Victoria is outlined below.
- If you require translating and interpreting services, please call 13 14 50 and select your preferred language.
- You will then need to tell the interpreter that your query is related to ‘Creative Victoria, Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions.’
- The interpreter will connect you with a Creative Victoria staff member and the interpreter will be online to assist with your questions.
- Please note this will be a free service.
I am Deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment – can I use the National Relay Service to contact Creative Victoria staff about the program?
Yes. If you are Deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment you can use the National Relay Service to contact program staff.
You can use the National Relay Service (NRS) to access a range of different types of call services, depending on your needs and preferences.
NRS Relay Officers are specially trained staff who help with every call. Relay Officers will:
- Change voice to text or text to voice
- Change Auslan to English or English to Auslan
- Stay on the line throughout the call to help you, without getting in the way or changing what is said.
The NRS is free and confidential. Find the right information or service to help you connect at accesshub.gov.au
Eligibility
Who can apply?
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The Creative Projects Fund 2026round accepts applications from Victorian-based professional artists, creative practitioners, collectives, groups, businesses or micro to small organisations.
Applicants can only submit one application for this round (including under auspice). Auspice bodies may apply on behalf of multiple applicants.
You are eligible to apply if you:
- are a Victorian-based individual, collective/group, or micro to small organisation
- have an active Australian Business Number (ABN)
- have no overdue Creative Victoria (or former Arts Victoria) acquittals.
- If you don’t have an ABN, you can apply for one online or apply through an auspice body with an ABN.
Eligible individuals must also be:
- an Australian citizen currently residing in Victoria or
- a Permanent Resident (holding an appropriate visa) who has resided in Victoria for at least two years immediately prior to the date of your application (Note: you may be asked to provide evidence of this) or
If under 18, you must apply through an auspicing body (otherwise you are not eligible)
Eligible organisations must be:
- a legally constituted organisation that has been registered under law (e.g. an incorporated association or company limited by guarantee or Aboriginal Corporation)
- a micro to small organisation of up to 10 FTE
For collectives/groups:
- If the group or collective is not a legally constituted organisation, they must apply under an auspice arrangement or have an individual with an ABN apply on their behalf and take responsibility for the grant.
- If an individual applies on behalf of the collective/group they must meet the eligibility criteria for Individuals, as listed above.
I have received a Creative Victoria grant recently – can I apply to this program?
If you are a current recipient of the following Creative Victoria programs/rounds, you cannot apply (unless acting as an auspice):
- Creative Enterprises Program (2026-29)
- Regional Partnerships Program
- Active Creative Ventures Program recipients (contact program staff if you’re unsure).
Previous grant recipients of other Creative Victoria programs are eligible to apply, provided they:
- do not have an overdue Creative Victoria (or former Arts Victoria) acquittal
- meet the eligibility criteria of the Creative Projects Fund program
- are for activities as set out in the program guidelines; and
- are not applying for funding for the same project/activity that has previously been funded.
I am in more than one collective or working on more than one project. Can I apply for funding for different projects/activities?
Only one application per applicant or organisation will be accepted. One individual is not able to act as the primary contact for two separate applications. This applies to both individual and group/collective activity.
Can I apply if I am under 18 years of age?
If you are under 18 years of age you must apply through an auspicing body. You can find more information about auspicing on our website here.
Can my project commence before 1 October 2026?
The program will not provide funding for activity that commences prior to 1 October 2026.
As Creative Victoria grants use public money, the allocation of funds through our grants programs requires significant scrutiny and applicants cannot be funded until this process has been completed.
Creative Projects Fund does not support the reimbursement of expenses already incurred, or other retrospective funding. For example, you cannot apply for funding to cover the costs for an exhibition that you presented in January 2026.
If I meet the eligibility criteria, am I guaranteed funding?
No. Demand for Creative Victoria funding is high, and this is an extremely competitive program. Applicants must not assume they will be successful or enter commitments based on that assumption before receiving formal notification of the outcome of their funding. If you’ve been successful through a previous round of the program, it is not guaranteed that you’ll be successful again.
Can I submit more than one application?
Only one application can be submitted per applicant. Auspicing organisations can submit multiple applications on behalf of others.
I have a new business. Can I apply for business start-up costs and business support?
Can I apply for funding to support international activity?
Applications for international activity will be accepted. Applicants should ensure that any proposed international activities demonstrate compliance with current Commonwealth and Victorian travel advice.
For projects involving international travel, please consider viable planning and contingencies.
Can I apply to Creative Projects Fund if I have applied for funding through VicScreen?
Creative Projects Fund does not duplicate the programs offered by VicScreen. If your activity/project is suitable for funding through any of VicScreen’s programs, you are not eligible to apply to this program. This is to ensure fairness and equity, given that there is limited funding available.
You are welcome to apply to the Creative Projects Fund for activities that are not eligible for VicScreen programs.
Please contact the program team if you need any further advice.
Any information provided in your application may be shared and subject to verification with other government departments/agencies, including VicScreen, as required.
Application Process
How do I write a project description?
The project description should be a description of the activity you are seeking support for and how it aligns with the Creative Projects Fund program outcomes. Descriptions are limited to 500 characters. We recommend using the Application Drafting Tools, available for download under ‘Guidelines and Tools’.
Please note: if your application is successful the project description may be edited and will be shared on the Creative Victoria website when the round is publicly announced.
How do I answer the application questions?
There are two application questions for this round, which are detailed in the Guidelines. When you are forming your response to each question, consider how your activity aligns with the assessment criteria.
You will need to provide a comprehensive overview of your activity, including what you are proposing to do, the timeframe you are delivering the activity, key milestones and key collaborators on the activity as well as detailing why it is important for your creative and professional career development. There is a 2000 character limit. Refer to the Guidelines to view the questions and prompting questions.
What supporting material do I provide with my application?
Support material will be used by the panel to assess your application against the assessment criteria.
There are required support documents that you must upload with your application:
- Creative support material
- Project Management Timeline
Additional support material may include:
- CV/additional biographies
- Budget notes
- Support documentation to provide if your project involves Indigenous Cultural Intellectual Property (ICIP) and/or collaborations with First Peoples creatives or community/Elder(s)
- Letters of confirmation
- Community engagement strategy for activity with the relevant community/communities
Ensure you prepare the required support documents and any optional support materials ahead of the program closing date, so you have everything prepared for your final submission.
Can I send you additional support material after applications have closed?
To ensure the process is equitable and fair for all applicants, we cannot accept late support material once the round has closed. If you receive any confirmations related to your submitted application e.g. additional funding, partnerships, you can email program staff who will provide this new information to peer assessors at their discretion.
Please do not use the Notes and Attachments function in the DJSIR Grants Portal to upload late support material as this is not monitored by program staff.
How much detail should I provide in the Project Management Timeline
The Project Management Timeline is an opportunity to provide a breakdown of your creative process. Your project should be a detailed overview of your project, including a summary of:
- The main stages and tasks of the project, between the project start date and end date.
- For each stage and task identified you should include details of the activity and/or task detail, and personnel involved.
- Where engagement is occurring with audiences or communities, identify the community and detail location.
- Include any contingency planning which accounts for any delays or risks to the activity.
- Identify any background information and potential future opportunities outside of the project start and end date.
To help guide you on how to draft a Project Management Timeline, we have created a reference tool. This can be found on the Creative Projects Fund program page.
What is an auspice?
Any legally constituted body may act as an auspice. In this instance, the auspice organisation will receive your grant agreement and funding. The auspice body is responsible for allocating funding to you and for the management of the project. The auspice body must sign off on the acquittal of grant funds at the conclusion of the project or activity.
For more information on auspicing, please see the Creative Victoria website here, or contact the program team.
Who needs an auspice?
Groups of individuals who join together as a collective must be legally constituted or nominate either an individual or an auspice to apply, and to take legal and financial responsibility for the grant should one be awarded.
If you don’t have an ABN or are not sure that you will have the capacity to manage the paperwork or requirements associated with a Creative Victoria grant, an organisation or business can submit the application on your behalf.
If you are under 18 you must apply through an auspicing body.
If your application is successful, the auspice organisation will receive any funds allocated, is responsible for the management of the project and must sign off on the acquittal of grant funds.
It is required that you have a clear written agreement with your auspice organisation. You must have written confirmation of the agreement, from the auspice organisation, before applying for funding.
Please note, an auspice organisation can apply to this program on behalf of multiple people/projects.
For more information, visit the Auspiced applications webpage on Creative Victoria’s website.
How do I apply if I have an auspice?
- Click the application link provided on the relevant program funding page.
- On the first page of the portal application click 'Next'. Once you have completed the questions on page two it will take you to log in/register on the portal.
- Once logged in fill in YOUR information in the Applicant details section.
- When the form asks you if you are using an Auspice answer YES.
- Fill in the Auspice organisation information. This will include the Auspice's ABN, Legal Entity Name and contact details. Please have this information ready before you start your application.
- Continue to fill in the application questions.
- If you have an agreement with your auspice already organised, please include it with your support material.
- Submit your grant.
For more information, visit the Auspiced applications webpage on Creative Victoria’s website.
What should I consider when including Indigenous Cultural Intellectual Property (ICIP) and/or collaboration with First Peoples creatives and/or community/Elders in my application?
One of the pillars of the Victorian Government’s Creative State 2028 strategy is First Peoples First. We are 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 Victorian Aboriginal Affairs Framework 2018-23.
Supported projects and activities must follow correct protocols when working with First Peoples artists, activity and/or communities. Please refer to Creative Australia’s (previously Australia Council) 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 First Peoples content, creatives and cultural heritage.
For the protection of First Peoples arts practice from misappropriation, moral and copyright infringement, appropriate documentation must be submitted if you propose to work with First Peoples stories/cultural material that is not your own, such as letters of confirmation from the First Peoples you are working with and protocols you will put in place to ensure cultural safety.
Applications from non-First Peoples applicants that contain Indigenous Cultural Intellectual Property or collaborations may also be reviewed by a First Peoples cultural protocol review panel. Activity that does not follow or demonstrate correct protocols will not be supported.
Please use the below as a guide of the types of supporting documentation you need to provide:
- the budget amount allocated for First Peoples collaboration or engagement (in the budget section of the application)
- Letters of confirmation from First Peoples collaborators/communities
For organisations/as appropriate:
- Cultural safety protocol strategies.
- First Peoples community engagement plans
I’m on a Disability Support Payment plan/NDIS. Will this grant impact my payments?
This grant may affect your payments. Please check with Centrelink or your contact person at NDIS. You may want to consider being auspiced by an organisation.
Will Creative Projects Funding affect my tax obligations?
Grants paid by Creative Victoria may be considered part of your income in a financial year and may therefore be subject to tax. You will need to determine your own taxation responsibilities.
What does in-kind contribution mean?
An in-kind contribution is a contribution of a goods or service other than money. This can be from the applicant, other project partners/participants or private support. In-kind contributions could include donated goods, services or volunteer work to support a project. Some examples include:
- Voluntary hours from the artist
- Mastering services provided free of charge
- Venue hire contribution at a reduced rate.
Can the funding be used for accessibility costs?
We strongly encourage applicants to consider inclusive ways of working and ensuring access to all audiences. Funding can be used to cover any access costs that help remove barriers for participants involved in your activity. You can also use the funding to make your activity accessible to a wider audience.
If you are applying under the Deaf and Disabled Stream, you can apply for an additional amount of up to $3,000 on top of your general project costs to cover specific access expenses that will help you reduce barriers for Deaf and Disabled artists/creative workers involved in your project. These additional access costs can only be allocated towards access initiatives and can’t be repurposed to cover general project costs.
What is an example of an access cost?
This is not an exhaustive list as it is dependent on type of activity and individual. Provide budget notes about any accessibility costs that are included in your application budget.
Examples of accessibility costs:
- Access consultant for support in designing an accessible space/event
- Access/disability support workers
- Assistive listening devices, audio loops etc.
- Audio description
- Auslan interpreters
- Blind or low vision assistance
- Braille in labelling, marketing, signage at venue, etc.
- Captioning services (open/closed)
- Disability concession pricing or subsidised ticket prices
- Disability liaison person – for meeting and/or engaging with Deaf and/or Disabled people to be responsive to their access needs.
- Ergonomic equipment and/or an ergonomic consultant
- Guide dog access
- Hiring access aids/equipment
- Plain English marketing material – short, simple sentences with pictures
- Setting up a quiet or sensory space or session – to avoid sensory overload or to provide sensory input to meet a sensory need.
- Staff and volunteer training e.g. disability awareness, communication, etc
- Therapy –counselling, physio, occupational therapy, etc.
- Updating website and booking system to a more accessible user interface.
I want to make my activities more accessible, but I don’t know where to start.
Accessibility costs vary depending on the project and services you need. We suggest getting in touch with an access consultant. You can find the Inclusive Practice Guide and a list of organisations in Victoria offering support to Deaf and Disabled people on the Arts Access Victoria’s website.
Assessment Process
How will the First Peoples stream be assessed?
Applications from First Peoples or First Peoples-led groups will be assessed in alignment with Aboriginal self-determination by an assessment panel of First Peoples creative industries peers.
Applications in the Deaf and Disabled stream and the General stream that contain First Peoples activity or Indigenous Cultural Intellectual Property (ICIP) may be reviewed by a cultural protocol review panel of First Peoples creative industries peers.
Will the First Peoples stream be open to non-First Peoples applicants that wish to present Indigenous Cultural Intellectual Property (ICIP) in partnership with First Peoples creatives?
No. The First Peoples stream is specifically for applications led by First Peoples. For non-First Peoples-led applications wishing to collaborate with First Peoples to present First Peoples stories, culture or ICIP, please apply through the General or Deaf and Disabled creatives streams as relevant.
Your application will be assessed by relevant external peers and may also be reviewed by a First Peoples panel to ensure appropriate cultural protocols and cultural safety are reflected in the application. Activity that doesn’t follow or demonstrate correct protocols won’t be supported. Please refer to the ‘Application support documents’ section of the program guidelines for more details on what to provide to demonstrate cultural protocol.
How will this program support Deaf and Disabled people in the creative industries?
This program includes a dedicated assessment process for Deaf and Disabled applicants. Applications by Victorian Deaf and Disabled creatives can choose to be assessed by a panel of creative industries peers with lived experience of deafness and disability or will be asked to choose which creative discipline peer assessment panel they want to assess their application.
Applications that are not led by Deaf and Disabled creatives but involve key participants who identify as Deaf and Disabled may also elect to be assessed under this stream. Please contact program staff to discuss.
What are the deliverables and reporting obligations for Creative Projects Fund?
Your Funding Agreement will outline your obligations.
You will need to provide regular updates about your funded activity, including information about the activity budget and activity plan. You will also be required to acknowledge the Victorian Government’s support by using the Creative Victoria logo or another form of acknowledgement in relation to the final outcome.
At the end of your funded period, you must submit an acquittal which provides information about the outcomes of your funding.
During and after your funded period, you are required to participate in a program evaluation. You may be asked to provide information about your funded activity and any longer-term outcomes that may inform the evaluation of the Creative Projects Fund.
Why does it take so long to assess this program?
After the round closes for applications, submitted applications go through an eligibility and due diligence check. External creative industry peer assessors are then allocated applications and given a period to review them.
Recommendations are compiled and provided to the Minister for Creative Industries for final approval.
We work as fast as we can to assess applications. You’ll be advised of the outcome of your application approximately 18 weeks from the closing date.
How does Creative Victoria support a fair distribution of funds and ensure applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds and creative disciplines are supported?
We acknowledge that in getting funding right, we need to make sure there is diversity in the process from inception to delivery.
Creative Victoria is working with industry representatives to ensure there is diverse representation on assessment panels for this program.
First Peoples applicants or First Peoples businesses or organisations applying under any stream will be assessed through a First Peoples-led assessment process. Deaf and Disabled applicants or businesses or organisations may also elect to be assessed by a panel of assessors with lived experience of deafness and disability.
We will also be reaching out to a broad range of organisations to promote the program and to encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds including applicants who are First Peoples, Deaf and Disabled, women, LGBTQIA+ and from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
How are applications assessed? Who decides which projects get funded?
Creative Victoria staff undertake eligibility checks on all submitted applications. Applications may also undergo a due diligence check by Creative Victoria and DJSIR staff to review any potential financial risk.
Following these checks applications are assessed by independent peer advisors. The panel's list of recommended projects may then go through a moderation process by Creative Victoria staff to develop the final list of recommendations that:
- ensures a balance of recommended activity that meets program objectives and;
- ensures a balance of creative disciplines and diversity of creatives and geographical location of recipients that reflects equity.
This list of recommendations is provided to the Minister for Creative Industries who makes the final decision.
Who is on the assessment panels?
The assessment panels are made up of independent peers with expertise across the creative industries. The names of panel assessors will be publicly listed once applicants have been notified about the outcome of their applications. The list of panel assessors from the 2025 round of the program is available via the Creative Projects Fund program page under Guidelines and Tools.