The Creative Ventures Program supports creative organisations / businesses / collectives to generate content, work and opportunities.

It provides two years of funding to a diverse cohort of Victorian and creative entities (i.e. micro to small creative organisations/businesses and collectives) that reflect contemporary ways of working across the creative industries.

For activity starting from 1 January 2024.

Funding available

We accept requests for funding from $70,000 to $100,000 per year— with a minimum level of funding of $140,000 and a maximum of $200,000 over two years.

Who can apply?

This program accepts applications from the following Victorian, non-government creative entities that meet Creative Victoria’s general eligibility and the following program eligibility:

  • You are a micro or small creative organisation/business that has no more than 10 FTE (Full Time Equivalent) staff, or
  • You are a collective of no more than 10 members
  • You are a legally constituted organisation/business with a valid ABN
  • If you’re a collective that isn’t legally constituted, you must outline a confirmed auspice arrangement
  • You are not required to have self-governing board
  • We only accept one application per applicant (including under auspice)
  • Auspice organisations may apply on behalf of multiple applicants.

We accept applications from micro or small creative organisations/businesses that have no more than 10 FTE (full-time equivalent) staff, or collectives (ensembles or groups of people who work together)  of no more than 10.

Applications are encouraged from across the sector, including but not limited to cabaret, circus, contemporary dance, cross-industry/cross-community collaborations, design, digital games, fashion, literature, multidisciplinary, music, physical performance, screen, sound art, theatre, visual arts and craft.

This program has three streams:

  • First Peoples creative entities stream - Applications led by First Peoples creative entities will be assessed in alignment with Aboriginal self-determination by an assessment panel of First Peoples creative industries peers.
  • Deaf and Disabled creative entities stream - Applications led by Deaf and Disabled creative entities can choose to be assessed by a panel of creative industries peers with lived experience of deafness and disability, the First Peoples assessment panel or by specific creative industries peers depending on the creative discipline chosen.
  • General stream - Applications will be assessed by specific creative industries peers depending on the creative discipline chosen.

NOTE:

  • Applications from non-First Peoples creative entities that contain First Peoples activity may also be reviewed by a First Peoples panel to ensure cultural protocols are demonstrated in the applications.
  • If you are eligible to apply to more than one stream (for example, First Peoples and Deaf and Disabled), please speak to program staff about which stream you are choosing to apply through, and which assessment panel you would like your application reviewed by.

How can I apply?

Applications for this program are now CLOSED.

To view previously started, drafted and saved applications, and to return to the grants portal please click here.

Find general information on using the grants portal, including how to register and FAQ about the Portal.


Recording of Information Session

An information session was held with Creative Victoria program staff to run through the application process, criteria, aims of the program and answer and questions. Watch the recording below.



Who can I talk to?

Stream / Creative DisciplinesContact

First Peoples Applicants (all creative disciplines)

Keeaira Aird

Deaf and Disabled applicants (All Creative Disciplines)

Chloe Turner

Cross/Multi-disciplinary

Theatre

Chloe Turner

Literature

Dance / Physical performance

Shaun Gillis

Music

Visual Arts

Lill Desormeaux

Screen

Design

Caitlin Kavanagh

Guidelines and tools

After you apply

Once you submit your application on the Online Grants Portal you’ll receive an email acknowledgement.

Our Grants team will then check that your application meets all the eligibility criteria, and we’ll assess it against the published aims and criteria.

You’ll be notified by email of the outcome approximately 12 weeks after the published closing date.

See Information for applicants

Successful applications

If your funding application is successful, you’ll receive a funding agreement outlining the conditions for funding, payment information and reporting requirements.

See Information for current recipients

Notification of funding outcomes

There’s high a level of demand for Creative Victoria funding, so we recommend that you plan for contingencies if your application is unsuccessful (e.g., other funding sources). Please don’t make commitments based on the assumption that you’ll receive funding until you’ve received written confirmation of your final funding outcome.

Funding recommendations are subject to approval by the Minister for Creative Industries. Feedback on your application is provided at Creative Victoria’s discretion and may not be available when you receive notification of your funding outcome.

Payment of grants

Program funding payments are conditional on you meeting your obligations under your Funding Agreement with the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions, including fulfilling any payment milestone outcomes or deliverables set out in the Funding Agreement.