From children’s literacy and digital media skills for teens to mentorships and artist residencies, the Victorian Government is investing in the future of the state’s creative industries.
The latest round of Creative Ventures Program recipients has been announced – a program which provides two-year grants to small creative organisations to deliver a big impact.
Funding totalling over $2 million will support 11 creative ventures – including small organisations, micro businesses and creative collectives – to deliver high-impact programs and create innovative new work over the next two years.
Spanning the state, the latest recipients include 100 Story Building, a social enterprise focused on developing creativity and literacy for children and young people, which will deliver writing and publishing programs for young writers at their new centre in Footscray.
Dandenong’s Connection Arts Space and Way Over There Collective will develop a residency program and other professional development and exhibition opportunities for artists in Melbourne’s South East, while Motherless Collective (MoCo) will showcase the work of First Nations LGBTQIA+ creatives to metro and regional audiences.
Warrnambool’s One Day Studios will offer training in digital media production to disadvantaged young people and create career pathways into the creative industries, while arts and cultural hub Dumawul will deliver professional and creative development opportunities for First Peoples artists living on Djandak-Dja Dja Wurrung Country.
FLOW Festival, led by a collective of Deaf and Hard of Hearing artists and leaders, will present an inclusive and vibrant program showcasing the talents and perspectives of the Deaf community. Sibling Architecture will undertake research into the design of spaces for neurodivergent and sensorially diverse people.
Wantok Music Foundation will undertake a collaboration between Victorian musicians of Timor Leste heritage and Timor Leste artists, MILKE will advance the careers of independent producers through a mentorship program, workshops and resources, and Beat Entertainment will deliver a two-year program of bold, original works.
An initiative of the Creative State 2025 strategy, the Creative Ventures Program is open to creative entities with up to 10 staff. It provides stable two-year funding to help them bring new programs and projects to life, create jobs and grow their organisations.
Creative Ventures Program recipients
100 Story Building, $150,000
To support 100 Story Building, a literacy focused social enterprise for young people, to activate their new centre in Footscray and deliver two years of writing programs and publishing projects, bringing together professional creatives with young writers.
Beat Entertainment (through Performing Lines Limited), $194,000
To support Beat Entertainment's two-year program of creative development and the presentation of new works with a focus on the experiences of Queer Black, Indigenous and People of Colour communities.
Connection Arts Space, $140,000
To support community focused collectives Connection Arts Space and Way Over There Collective to deliver an artist-in-residence program, with professional development and exhibition outcomes.
Dumawul, $180,000
To support arts and cultural hub Dumawul to deliver creative and economic development opportunities for First Nations artists and cultural practitioners living on Djandak - Dja Dja Wurrung Country.
Flow Festival Australia (through Auspicious Arts Projects), $200,000
To support the delivery of the 2025 Flow Festival, showcasing the work of Deaf artists and supporting the professional development of Deaf arts workers.
Melanie Lane | Corps Conspirators (through Auspicious Arts Projects), $163,880
To support choreographer Melanie Lane to form Melanie Lane | Corps Conspirators, an artist-led collective comprising six core collaborators and a community of guest artists to work on company development and sustainability.
MILKE, $200,000
To support producing company MILKE to establish a year-round producing hub in Victoria supporting independent producers through a mentoring program, workshops, and online resources.
Motherless Collective (MoCo) (through Auspicious Arts Projects), $200,000
To support Motherless Collective's core collective of emerging First Nations LGBTQIA+ multi-disciplinary creatives to undertake professional, creative and business development opportunities, and to deliver two metro showcases and a regional tour.
One Day Studios, $200,000
To support One Day Studio's Media Mavericks Program, providing disadvantaged young people in regional Victoria with access to mentors and training in the production of digital content. The program will culminate in screenings in regional communities.
Sibling Architecture, $189,680
To support Sibling Architecture to undertake research into sensorially-sensitive architectural design of spaces which cater to neurodivergent and sensorially diverse people, culminating in the presentation of a public symposium.
Wantok Musik Foundation, $200,000
To support the collaboration between Victorian musicians of Timor Leste heritage and Timor Leste artists, including the release and promotion of new music and performances.