Delivery Partner – market engagement process

The Victorian Government through Creative Victoria, in partnership with the City of Melbourne, is undertaking a market engagement process to seek suitably qualified organisations or consortia to establish and administer the Musical Theatre Development Fund.

The Fund is a strategic initiative designed to strengthen Victoria's musical theatre ecosystem. It is intended to support the development of new Victorian musical theatre intellectual property, build sector capability, improve pathways from creative development to presentation and investment and generate long-term cultural, economic and industry benefits for Victoria.

The successful applicant will become the delivery partner responsible for establishing and administering the Fund, including governance, assessment processes, program delivery, contracting, financial management, reporting and evaluation.

The Fund will launch with a $1 million joint investment from the Victorian Government and the City of Melbourne.

Objectives of the Musical Theatre Development Fund

The Fund seeks to:

  • Provide targeted support to the Victorian musical theatre industry to meet growing demand.
  • Strengthen Melbourne's position as Australia's cultural capital.
  • Support writers, composers, producers and creative teams to develop new work.
  • Build industry capability and export potential.
  • Increase the development of new Victorian musical theatre intellectual property.
  • Increase opportunities and visibility for First Peoples and diverse voices within musical theatre.
Delivery Partner Opportunity

Creative Victoria and the City of Melbourne are seeking a delivery partner that can demonstrate leadership across the Victorian musical theatre ecosystem and administer the Fund in a fair, transparent and outcomes-focused manner.

Applicants may be:

  • An existing organisation that establishes a division, or entity, to administer the Fund.

OR

  • A consortium that establishes a clear leadership and governance model to administer the Fund.

Consortia applications are encouraged where they can demonstrate enhanced capability and sector-wide impact.

What We Are Looking For

Through the market engagement process, applicants are invited to outline how they would establish, administer and evaluate the Fund, supported by evidence of capability, governance expertise, financial capacity and sector leadership.

Please refer to the Program Guidelines and the Application Form provided below in preparing your application.

Assessment Process

Applications will undergo assessment by industry experts from Creative Victoria and City of Melbourne against the Fund’s objectives, expected outcomes and Assessment Criteria.

Creative Victoria and City of Melbourne reserve the right not to progress any proposal to shortlist, negotiation or funding agreement stage.

Key Dates

Applications Open: Monday 14 September 2026 
Applications Close: Sunday 11 October 2026, 5.00 pm AEST.

Applications received after the closing time may not be considered. Applicants are requested to submit their proposal to the following email: industrydevelopment@creative.vic.gov.au

Further Information

For further information and application materials:

  • Program Guidelines (see section 5.2 for Assessment Criteria)
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Application Form

Please direct any questions to: industrydevelopment@creative.vic.gov.au

Interested organisations are encouraged to review all supporting documentation before submitting their proposal.