The Victorian Independent Producers Initiative is designed to grow, upskill and increase the capacity of independent producers in Victoria’s performing arts sector.

Developed in response to industry feedback, the initiative provides networking and professional development opportunities to independent artists and companies to help them better understand and leverage the artist/producer relationship.

An initiative of the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria, Victorian Independent Producers Initiative is delivered in partnership with Theatre Network Australia.

The initiative has three streams, including: the Producers Mentorship Program, Unlocking Capacity grants and the Salon Series.

Read about each stream below.

Producers Mentorship Program

A program for people who already have some producing experience in the performing arts and want to be part of a group learning environment to explore new models of independent producing. Participants work together in pairs or small groups and come together for monthly group sessions.

Unlocking Capacity

Multi-year grants of up to $35,000 per annum for a maximum of three years for established independent producers of performing arts who have a minimum of three years’ experience and who dedicate at least 50% of their time to their independent producing practice. You need to demonstrate how the grant will support your independent producing practice and provide professional assistance to Victorian-based independent artists and independent companies.

Salon Series

The Salon Series is a free events program, run by Theatre Network Australia that brings together groups of people involved in the Producers Mentorship and Unlocking Capacity programs as well as other independent producers, aspiring producers, and artists and companies.

The series responds to urgent skill requirements and provides a forum for conversations that the sector needs to be engaging in. It includes professional development sessions, networking and peer learning for the independent performing arts sector.

After you apply

Once you submit your application on the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions 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, Precincts and Regions, including fulfilling any payment milestone outcomes or deliverables set out in the Funding Agreement.