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Multi-year Arts Grants

We're committed to investing in multi-year funding for innovative, diverse and inclusive arts organisations who can transform our city with bold confidence.

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2025–​2027 program​​

​​​​​​​​​​​​Our Multi-year Arts Grants Program funds challenging and ambitious ideas that contribute to the creative transformation of Melbourne and encourage participation and activation of the arts.​​ ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​This program provides three-year funding for small, medium and large arts organisations up to $330,000 and Awards arts grants up to $25,000.

Through the 2025–2027 program, City of Melbourne will fund organisations in either:  

  • ​Multi-year arts grants – $40,000 to $330,000 annually: Open to small, medium and large arts organisations presenting work to the public annually

    or

  • ​Awards arts grants  - Up to $25,000 annually: Open to Victorian based arts organisations delivering awards programs in the municipality that benefit local artists.​​

Key dates

  • Applications closed 
  • Notification to applicants: September 2024

Assessment panel

All applications are assessed by an independent external panel consisting of experienced arts and creative peers.

Assessors for the City of Melbourne's Annual arts grants programs are taken from the External assessment panel members for the City of Melbourne. Occasionally alternative assessors are co-opted to fill a specific vacancy.  

Previous recipients

Frequently asked questions

Applicants must be a not-for-profit independent, non-government arts organisation.​​

​Medium organisations are those that are reasonably dominant in their field. Large organisations are those that are dominant in their field. Size and revenue are dependent on the industry in which your organisation operates.

​No, but the proposed outcomes must take place within the City of Melbourne boundaries annually.​

Organisations can only submit one application to the Multi-year Arts Grants Program.​

No. Multi-year arts grants do not support development and if successful you must provide a public outcome within the City of Melbourne annually for the duration of your contract.​

You may use an auspicing body for an Awards arts grant application however you cannot use an auspicing body for a Multi-year arts grant application.​

Yes, but if the funded activities occur in an outdoor space (for example a park or street), contact the City of Melbourne Events Melbourne team on 9658 8008 to discuss the proposed site.

Refer to City of Melbourne’s Event Planning Guide​ as you may need to apply for an event permit. However permits do not need to be confirmed prior to application.

No, any venue can be used provided it is located within City of Melbourne boundaries.​

No, organisations that have already been funded by another City of Melbourne grants, sponsorship or expression-of-interest program are ineligible to apply to the Multi-year Arts Grants Program for the same project in the same timeframe. Your organisation cannot apply for other City of Melbourne funding if your Multi-year or Awards arts grants application is successful. ​​

​The funded activities can begin 1 January 2025 and must be concluded by 31 December 2027. Following notification of a successful application, payment will be made annually after a contract is signed and subject to receipt of all required information. ​

​Please contact either Bronwyn Roper 0422 872 729 (Monday to Thursday) or Candy Mitchell 0421 056 709 (Monday, Wednesday or Friday) 9am to 5pm or email artsgrants@melbourne.vic.gov.au and a member of the team will contact you. 

More information

Multi-year Arts Grants operate under:​​​​

Image: SPARK by Daan Roosegaarde
Photo: Shannyn Higgins

our acknowledgement

  • Torres Strait Islander Flag
  • Aboriginal People Flag

The City of Melbourne respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land we govern, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong / Boon Wurrung peoples of the Kulin and pays respect to their Elders past and present. 

 

We acknowledge and honour the unbroken spiritual, cultural and political connection they have maintained to this unique place for more than 2000 generations.

We accept the invitation in the Uluru Statement from the Heart and are committed to walking together to build a better future.