Creative Projects Fund

Summary

The Creative Projects Fund 2026 round supports projects led by Victorian-based professional artists, creative practitioners, groups/collectives and creative micro to small organisations. It can also include projects collaborating with creative and non-creative workers (such as technicians, publicists etc).

Funding can be used to:

• develop new creative content, products or experiences
• present and/or launch work to reach new markets
• invest in innovative ideas
• support collaborations and partnerships.

Key Dates

Round opens:  Thursday, 19 March 2026

Round Closes: Thursday, 16 April 2026 at 3pm

For project activity from 1 October 2026.

Applicants will be notified of the results approximately 18 weeks following the closing date.

Funding available

Individuals or groups/organisations can apply for a grant between $10,000 and $30,000.

Accessibility Costs:

• All applicants are encouraged to include accessibility costs within their project budgets that make activities accessible to a Deaf and Disabled audience (e.g., Auslan, captioning, audio description, materials in other formats).

• Deaf and Disabled applicants applying to the Deaf and Disabled creatives stream may apply for the project costs between $10,000 and $30,000, plus up to $3,000 to cover any specific accessibility costs that will help remove barriers in the project. These additional funds can only be used for access initiative costs and cannot be repurposed for general project costs.

Am I eligible?

Creative Projects Fundaccepts applications from Victorian-based professional artists, creative practitioners, collectives, groups, businesses or micro to small organisations.

You are eligible to apply if you:

• are a Victorian-based individual, collective/group, or micro to small organisation
• have an active Australian Business Number (ABN)
• If you don’t have an ABN, you can apply for one online or apply through an auspice body with an ABN.
• have no overdue Creative Victoria (or former Arts Victoria) acquittals.

For more detailed information on eligibility requirements that may impact your application, please see the program guidelines (which you can download below).

Please note:

If you are a current recipient of the following Creative Victoria programs/rounds, you cannot apply (unless acting as an auspice):

• Creative Enterprises Program 2026-29
• Regional Partnerships Program
• Active Creative Ventures Program recipients (contact program staff if you’re unsure).

Application streams

First Peoples creatives stream

Applications led by Victorian First Peoples creatives or First Peoples led collectives/micro to small organisations can choose to be assessed by an assessment panel of First Peoples creative industries peers, in alignment with Aboriginal self-determination.

Deaf and Disabled creatives stream

Applications led by Victorian Deaf and Disabled creatives or collectives/micro to small organisations can choose to be assessed by a mixed panel of creative industries peers with lived experience of deafness and disability.

General stream

All other applications will be assessed by specific creative industries peers depending on the creative discipline assessment panel chosen (listed in the program guidelines).

Please note: 

• If your application is in the Deaf and Disabled stream or the General stream and includes First Peoples activities, it may be reviewed by a Cultural Protocol Review panel composed of First Peoples professionals from the creative industries. Your application must demonstrate adherence to cultural protocols to receive support. For guidance on how to demonstrate cultural protocols, please refer to the program guidelines.

• If you are eligible to apply to more than one stream (for example, First Peoples and Deaf and Disabled), you must choose one panel to assess your application, so please consider which panel you would prefer or email program staff for guidance.

How can I apply?

Applications for this program will open on Thursday, 19 March 2026.

You can use the Application Drafting Tools to start drafting your application.

When the round is open, applications are made via a unique link on this page which will direct you to the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (DJSIR) Grants Portal.

Find general information on using the grants portal, including how to register and FAQ about the Portal.

Information session

Creative Victoria staff will be running an online information session on Monday 23 March at 12pm.

The session will include a brief overview of the round, followed by an opportunity for applicants to ask questions.

Register here to attend.