Council has allocated more than $1 million for 94 arts projects taking place in 2023, supporting creatives and strengthening Melbourne’s economic and creative recovery.
Grants of up to $20,000 are available to artists and small art organisations across three categories: Arts Projects, Aboriginal Arts Projects and general Arts Residencies.
The program provides financial or in-kind support needed to develop and deliver projects within the municipality.
Highlights from the 2023 Annual Arts Grants recipients include:
- Gender Euphoria: Mighty Real – a live art show led by Mama Alto and directed by Maude Davey, showcasing transgender experiences, identities and excellence.
- Oceanic Feeling by Elena Betros López – a moving image project looking at the Southern Ocean as a place of resilience and fecundity in the face of global warming and climate change.
- Duality by Lior – a studio album and concert, musically and lyrically exploring ideas surrounding duality in identity.
- Memory, Material and Cultural Agency by Brian Martin – a visual art project utilising living trees and other Indigenous cultural materials.
- Of The Land On Which We Meet by Na Djinang Circus – a contemporary circus work acknowledging and exploring connection to Country.
- Disconnected by Olivia Muscat – an autobiographical theatre work exploring anxiety and fear in the face of love, loss and connection through a disabled lens.
For more information on the Annual Arts Grants program and the 2023 recipients, visit
Annual Arts Grants.
Quotes attributable to Lord Mayor Sally Capp
“We’re proud to be supporting more than 1,100 jobs within the creative industry – backing artists to push their boundaries and test new ideas.”
“Applications for the 2023 program are among the most diverse we’ve ever seen – three quarters of applicants are culturally and linguistically diverse, and over a quarter representing all abilities."
“Art is woven into the fabric of our city. It's a huge part of why Melbourne is the cultural capital of Australia, and we’re excited to see these projects come to life over the next year.”
Quotes attributable to Creative Melbourne portfolio lead Councillor Jamal Hakim
“A key part of our Annual Arts Grants program is that all projects can be enjoyed by all Melburnians.”
“We expect projects throughout 2023 will attract an audience of nearly 200,000 people to the city, providing a much-needed boost for the presenting artists, as well as surrounding traders.”
“The recipients showcase Melbourne as a melting pot of diverse artistic talent – and we’re looking forward to seeing the successful artists transform their bold ideas and creative visions into reality.”