Funding and Opportunities Calendar

We have compiled a list of grants and opportunities for artists looking for support for their work.

• This list will be updated on a quarterly basis so make sure you keep checking in. (Last updated, Friday 28 August, 2026)
• Listings are sorted by deadline (earliest first), and then there are some Ongoing opportunities and links to other resources.
• With any grant program you are advised to contact the funding body to discuss your application prior to submission,
• We are available to discuss your application and the application process with you. Contact the Creative City Officer: [email protected]

For a summary of City of Greater Bendigo grant programs for local artists go to Grant Programs for Local Artists and Creatives, and for new local opportunities subscribe to the Arts e-Bulletin by sending an email to: [email protected]

Funding 

1 Sept

Creative Australia Arts Projects for Individuals and Groups

Funding of between $10,000 and $50,000 for a range of activities and projects, both national and international, across all arts practices.

Arts Projects for Individuals and Groups | Creative Australia

Applications close: 3pm, Tuesday 1 September 2026

1 Sept

Writers’ Festival Author Travel Fund

This investment will support writers’ festivals around the country to connect Australian authors with readers and peers and promote their work.

You can apply for between $10,000 to $30,000. 

Writers’ Festival Author Travel Fund | Creative Australia

Applications close: 3pm, Tuesday 1 September 2026

2 Sept

Music Victoria, 10,000 Gigs: The Victorian Gig Fund

Delivered by Music Victoria on behalf of the Victorian Government, eligible licensed live music venues and other venues that regularly present live music can apply for grants of up to $11,000 to stage up to 20 paid performances by Victorian artists between 1 December 2026 and 30 June 2027.

10,000 Gigs: The Victorian Gig Fund – Music Victoria

Applications close: 2:00pm, Wednesday 2 September 2026.

11 Sept

Regional Arts Victoria - Small Regional Presenters Fund 2026 

Small Regional Presenters is a funding program that supports regional communities to program and present shows in their area. It also supports skills development and capacity building by encouraging presenters to develop long term plans and audience development strategies.  

Small Regional Presenters Fund 2026 - Regional Arts Victoria

Applications close: Friday, 11 September 

13 Sept

Australian National Academy of Music - Ian Potter Emerging Performers Fellowship 

The Ian Potter Emerging Performers Fellowship is a two-year Fellowship valued at AU$50,000 each year for two years (total value AU$100,000) awarded by the Directors of ANAM, to an alum who displays a demonstrated commitment to establishing an independent performance practice.

14 Sept

Copyright Agency’s Cultural Fund

Supports leading Australian creative organisations and key industry stakeholders with grants to create and deliver exceptional opportunities for Australian writers, journalists, editors, publishers, English and literacy teachers, and visual artists, and especially for those from First Nations and diverse backgrounds.

$10,000 to $30,000 available per project

Grants for Organisations | Copyright Agency

Applications close: Monday 14 September

15 Sept

Creative Australia, Young People: First Nations Arts & Culture Project Fund

Open to Australian First Nations artists or arts workers between the ages of 18 and 35 to support their creative practice and career development, nationally and internationally across all art forms.

Applicants can apply for amounts between $10,000 and $20,000

Young People: First Nations Arts & Culture Project Fund | Creative Australia

Applications close: 3pm, Tuesday 15 September 2026 

15 Sept

Creative Australia, First Nations Arts d/Deaf and/or Disabilities Project Fund

Grants to support projects and professional development opportunities across all art forms, nationally and internationally, from $5,000 to $10,000.

First Nations Arts d/Deaf and/or Disabilities Project Fund | Creative Australia

Applications close: 3pm, Tuesday 15 September 2026 

15 Sept

Creative Australia, Elevate: First Nations Storytelling and Literature Fund

$10,000 grant for career development, open to Australian First Nations writers, poets, editors, illustrators, journalists, arts workers, and groups in the literature sector.

Elevate: First Nations Storytelling and Literature Fund | Creative Australia

Applications close: 3pm, Tuesday 15 September 2026 

29 Sept

Creative Australia, Creative Futures Fund 2026-2027

The fund invests in bold, new work across all art forms that tell Australian stories and strive for next level scale, ambition and impact.

The fund invests in projects across two streams:

Development: investments between $150,000 – $250,000

Delivery: investments between $250,000 – $1,500,000 

Creative Futures Fund 2026-2027 | Creative Australia

Stage 1 closes: 3pm, Tuesday 29 September 2026 

13 Oct

Contemporary Music Touring Program

This program provides up to $50,000 to support national tours by musicians performing original Australian contemporary music.

Contemporary Music Touring Program | Creative Australia

Applications close: 3pm, Tuesday 13 October 2026 

13 Oct

Creative Australia, Playing Australia Project Investment

Supporting performing arts tours to reach regional and remote communities across Australia.

Playing Australia Project Investment | Creative Australia

Applications close: 3pm, Tuesday 13 October 2026 

Blackbird Foundation - Believers 

Blackbird are funding the people, projects and programs that are creating the conditions for young people's creativity to flourish at scale. They are looking for inventive and dynamic experiments that encourage young people to be curious, to explore, to be lifelong learners and to build community and become high agency people.

Applications are assessed on a rolling basis.

Grants of between $5,000 - $25,000 are awarded to projects that are just starting or are scaling up or exploring further development.

Projects

Regional Arts Fund – Quick Response Grants

Rounds are open on the first of every month and close on the last day of every month from February to November, for grants of up to $3,000 for individuals, $5,000 for organisations.

For small arts projects, professional development for artists and arts workers, and community capacity building projects.

https://www.rav.net.au/grants/quick-response-grants/

Vicscreen Development Funding

Through development programs, Victorian writers and producers are supported to script high-quality stories from across our regions and cities and from diverse perspectives and origins, for cinema, television, online and virtual reality.  

We’re here for first-time screenwriters, seasoned creators and anyone who is ready to turn their ideas into a screen experience that will entertain, engage and excite. 

https://vicscreen.vic.gov.au/funding/development

Applications are open now

VicScreen Victoria Production Fund - Screen

The Victorian Production Fund - Screen supports diverse and engaging Victorian-led content to be made in the state, growing Victoria’s pipeline of high-quality projects and ensuring a sustainable and globally competitive industry right here in Victoria.  

It will ensure that Australian and global audiences can watch more compelling Victorian-made stories on screens of all sizes: big, small and the one in your hand.  

https://vicscreen.vic.gov.au/funding/victorian-production-fund

Applications are open now

VicScreen Travel Support

While Victoria is a global screen hub that hosts many major screen events, VicScreen supports Victorian creators to attend international festivals, markets and business meetings in person to build international connections and promote their skills, projects and businesses. 

https://vicscreen.vic.gov.au/funding/travel

Applications are open now

15 Sept

Creative Australia Youth Award for Achievement in the Arts

Valued at $25,000, this Award recognises the achievement of one Australian First Nations artist or arts worker in community arts and cultural development, dance, experimental arts, literature, multi-arts, music, theatre and/or visual arts between the age of 18 and 35.  

Youth Award for Achievement in the Arts | Creative Australia

Applications close: 3pm, Tuesday 15 September 2026

15 Sept

Creative Australia Red Ochre Award Lifetime Achievement 

Creative Australia is pleased to invite nominations for senior First Nations artists and cultural workers with thirty or more years of continued artistic practice for the 2027 Red Ochre Awards.

Red Ochre Awards nominations are open across two categories:

• Red Ochre Award for Lifetime Achievement in Artistic Excellence: Two awards valued at $60,000 for outstanding lifetime achievement in artistic practice for a senior Australian First Nations artist.
   
• Red Ochre Award for Lifetime Achievement in Cultural Advocacy and Leadership: Two awards valued at $60,000 for outstanding lifetime achievement in cultural advocacy and leadership for a senior Australian First Nations arts leader or arts and cultural worker.

Red Ochre Award (Lifetime Achievement) | Creative Australia

Applications close: 3pm, Tuesday 15 September 2026

15 Sept

Creative Australia Established Artist Award

We are pleased to invite nominations for the 2027 First Nations Established Artist of the Year Award. Valued at $25,000 for one recipient, this Award recognises the achievement of one First Nations artist in community arts and cultural development, dance, experimental arts, literature, multi-arts, music, theatre and/or visual arts with twenty or more years of continued artistic practice. 

Established Artist of the Year Award | Creative Australia 

Auspicious Arts Funding Calendar
A fantastic resource collated by Auspicious Arts. Go to the link and click through to funding calendar for a regularly updated list of funding opportunities.
www.auspicious.com.au/funding-deadlines
 

Regional Arts Victoria – Professional Development, Jobs, Opportunities
Latest round-up of jobs, grants and opportunities relevant to regional Victorian creatives and organisations.
www.rav.net.au/jobs-grants-opportunities-2/
 

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