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                    Annual Arts Grants and Residencies

                    A person wearing a large golden crown and a gold face mask.

                    Image credit: Oshun, Amarantha Robinson. Photo Deshani Berhardt @Wild Hardt Photography

                    The City of Melbourne annual arts grants help exciting ideas come to life. Whether you compose, paint, sculpt, dance, write, perform, film or produce work unlike anything else, each year we offer grants of up to $20,000 to make your project happen.

                    ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​2025 Annual Arts Grants and Residencies

                    Key dates​​

                    • Open Wednesday 15 May 2024 
                    • Close 5pm Sunday 23 June 2024 

                    Stay tuned for more information soon​​.

                    ​Questions? Chat with us weekdays 9am to 5pm on 9658 9658, email artsgrants@melbourne.vic.gov.au or check out the FAQs below.​​

                    Current recipients

                    ​2024 grant recipients​​

                    102 artists and arts organisations received funding as part of our 2024 annual arts grants program.

                    See Annual arts grant recipients for details of the successful applicants, along with recipients from previous years.

                    Keep an eye on What’s On to see upcoming arts grants projects.

                    All applications are assessed by an independent external panel.

                    For information on other City of Melbourne funding opportunities, visit Grants and sponsorships

                    Our vision is to consolidate Melbourne’s strengths as a creative city: a place that inspires experimentation, innovation and creativity. We embrace the transformative role that the arts and creativity plays in building all aspects of the city. This is reinforced in our Creative Strategy 2018-28, which places creativity and artists at the heart of our work and drives our Creative Funding Framework 2024-30​.​

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                    Grant writing tips from Arts grant recipients | City of Melbourne
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                    Akosia - Arts grant recipient
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                    John Neeson - Arts grant recipient

                    Supporting resources

                    Arts grants FAQs

                    When does my project need to take place?

                    1 January and 31 December 2025.​


                    Do I have to live or work in the City of Melbourne to be eligible for a grant?

                    No, but if you are applying for an online project or for a creative development only then you must demonstrate a connection to City of Melbourne.

                    Does my project need to be presented in a City of Melbourne owned venue? Do I need a venue locked in before submitting an application?

                    No, but it must be presented at a venue located within City of Melbourne boundaries. You must tell us where you plan to present the project and your application will also need to include venue hire costs. Your application will be strengthened by the inclusion of a tentative venue booking quote or evidence that you have communicated with the venue manager about hiring the space.​

                    Can I present my project or activity in an outdoor space? Do I require a permit?

                    Yes. You may need to apply for a permit to use outdoor spaces managed by the City of Melbourne such as a park or laneway, however a permit is not required for the grant application.

                    Please discuss your project with a program manager before submitting your application. You can contact the arts grants team weekdays 9am to 5pm on 9658 9658 or emailing artsgrants@melbourne.vic.gov.au.

                    Can I submit more than one application?

                    No, you can only submit one application to each round.​

                    When will I be notified/receive grant?

                    Annual Arts grants will be notified in early October 2024. Successful applicants will receive funding once all required information and documentation is provided (this include funding agreement) as promptly as possible.​​


                    Can I apply for an arts grant as well as other City of Melbourne funding?

                    ​No. Projects that are currently being funded by another City of Melbourne program are ineligible to apply to our annual arts grants program.

                    I am a student; can I apply for a grant?

                    ​Students may apply for funding. However, the proposed activity must not be associated with the completion of a course of study.

                    Where do I find information about artists’ fees?

                    You can find information on artist fees for different art forms and roles from the following organisations:

                    Accessibility

                    ​The arts grants are accessible to people of all backgrounds and abilities. Support is available for applicants to submit an application and funding is available to improve access requirements for delivery of projects. For further information, please contact Laura Johnston on 0411 776 324 email laura.johnston@melbourne.vic.gov.au or the program team on 9658 9658 or email arts.grants@melbourne.vic.gov.au.

                    Did you know?
                    When applying for a grant, be wary of cold-callers or websites that charge for grant-related services – this assistance is available for free. Visit the ACCC for tips on how to protect your business or project.

                    Contact us

                    Telephone number
                    03 9658 965803 9658 9658
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