Artists and creatives in Greater Bendigo are invited to apply for the Create Lab 2026 Small Grants Program which has opened for expressions of interest.
As a City of Greater Bendigo annual small grants initiative, Create Lab is designed to support local creatives to research, test and develop new ideas, and explore innovative collaborations, particularly with sectors outside the traditional creative industries.
Grants of $4,000 will be awarded to successful applicants to help bring their ideas to life.
Create Lab 2026 aims to:
- Encourage artists and creatives who live, work or study in Greater Bendigo to explore new partnerships across sectors and art forms
- Support artists to build confidence and capacity in developing new ideas
- Foster collaboration within Bendigo's creative community and beyond
- Encourage sectors outside of the creative industries to engage with the arts
- Encourage sectors outside of the creative industries to engage with creative practice, such as health, education, technology, and food
- Provide access to workspace, meeting rooms, studio facilities, and green screen technology
- Offer mentoring through peer support, industry connections, and networking opportunities
- Provide seed funding to test ideas that may grow into larger projects or attract future investment
Creative City Officer Mandy Field said the program provided support for local artists to explore their creative practice in new ways and new contexts.
"Examples could include working in partnership with a community or cultural service, health provider, education organisation or community house to explore a creative partnership, workshop, or outcome of some kind," Ms Field said.
"Other examples might include combining art and technology, or art and food, or working with sectors where innovation is welcomed."
As part of the program, recipients will participate in two peer workshops to share their process and receive feedback. The program will culminate in a public event, offering a relaxed and supportive space for artists to present their work and creative journey.
An online information session will be held at 1pm on Tuesday, November 11. Grant applications close on Friday December 12, 2025.
