The Andrews Labor Government is supporting grassroots creative organisations to deliver creative content to more Victorian audiences, providing stable funding and new opportunities.
Powering up micro creative organisations and collectives while driving creative innovation across the state, the Creative Ventures Program offers a stable two-year funding base to support the generation of new work, creative content and career opportunities.
Eligible entities can apply for up to $200,000. Focused on organisations with 10 or fewer full-time staff, the program is open to those working in creative industries includingvisual art and craft, theatre and performance, literature, music, screen,digital games, design and fashion.
Funding can be used both within and outside creative industries to build sustainable professional practices, develop new markets, increase audience engagement, collaborate with others and to create and present new work.
The Creative Ventures Program aims to support and strengthen the diversity of Victoria's creative industries and will prioritise applications from entities led by or focused on First Peoples creatives, creatives who are deaf or disabled, culturally and linguistically diverse or regionally based, and other under-represented groups.
An initiative of the Labor Government's Creative State 2025 strategy, the Program is already investing in a diverse range of small, high-impact creative organisations across the state.
Beneficiaries of the first round of the programannounced earlier this year include First Peoples-led circus group Na Djinang Circus, fashion brand Gammin Threads, Liminal - a literary platform that celebrates Asian-Australian writers - and Warrnambool's inclusive music organisation Find Your Voice Collective.
The previous support is resulting ingame-changing opportunities for Victorian creatives including new programs and creative works, mentorships, secure employmentand cross-industry collaborations and partnerships.
Applications for the second round of the Creative Ventures Program close on 21 July. For more information or to apply, visit creative.vic.gov.au/grants-and-supportExternal Link.
As stated by Minister for Creative Industries Danny Pearson
"We're supporting grassroots creative organisations with the funding they need to flourish, driving the extraordinary work and experiences that Victorians love and that bolster our reputation as the creative state."
"Small creative entities can still pack a punch and we're backing them to innovate, grow and make their mark on the local, national and global stage."
