Regional Arts Fund – Project Grants (VIC)

Overview

Project Grants will fund high-quality arts projects benefitting regional or remote artists, arts workers, audiences and communities. Victorian case studies from the Regional Arts Fund are available at our resources page.

Applicants MUST be regionally based in order to apply to the Regional Arts Fund. More information on eligible regional locations can be found here.

You can apply for Project Grants of up to $30,000.

How to Apply

Please follow these steps carefully before booking to speak with an advisor or applying. Booking times are limited and staff may not be available close to the application deadline. We suggest you plan ahead and book early. Only one advice session per eligible applicant is allowed.

1. Check Eligibility

Address: To submit an application, you must be a resident of Regional Victoria. Applicants whose address is in a location classified as MMM1 are not eligible.

MMM Indicator: Regional Arts Fund funding cannot principally benefit a location classified as MM 1 (major cities) or applicants whose address is in a location classified as MMM1. To check if you are in an eligible location visit the Regional Arts Fund Eligibility Map.

How to use MMM Indicator

ABN: If you have not already done so, make sure your ABN registration reflects your current regional address. The postcodes must match.

Status: You must be an individual or Incorporated Association based in Victoria or local government organisation.

Unincorporated groups are eligible for funding if auspiced by an organisation that meets the above criteria.

Under 18: You are able to apply, but you must be auspiced by someone over 18 who has an ABN. Your auspice must be an individual, not an organisation.

View more information on eligibility and who is not eligible here.

2. Your Project

Your application needs to show evidence of community partnerships and a demonstrated need for this arts activity to happen in a regional community.

Your application must be for a high-quality arts project that benefits regional or remote artists, arts workers, audiences and communities.

View the PDF preview of the Project Grant application form to prepare for your application (your application must be made via the SmartyGrants portal, the below form is for preparation only):

Download PDF Application form here.

Look at previous recipients to see if your project is comparable here.

3. Read the Guidelines

You must read the guidelines before speaking to an advisor or applying.

You can view the guidelines here.

Contact Regional Arts Victoria for an accessible version: grants@rav.net.au

4. Book a time with an Advisor

Refer to the Regional Arts Victoria project grants page to book a time with an advisor here.

5. Apply

If you have completed these steps, you may begin your application:

• Checked your eligibility
• Read the guidelines
• Read the preview of the application form (optional)
• Spoken to an advisor
• Gathered your application material required for the application

Timelines

The 2026 Project Grant Round 2 will open 1 July 2026

Applicants will be notified of outcomes within three months of the closing date.

Grant Round Opens: 9:00am, 1 July 2026

Deadline to discuss application with RAV Staff Member: 4:00pm, 12 August 2026

Deadline for Smarty Grants support: 4:00pm, 12 August 2026

Grant Round Closes: 1159pm, 12 August 2026

Notification of outcomes: Approx. three months from submission

Earliest Start Date: 1 January 2027

Further information about the Regional Arts Fund can be found here.