Deadline: 11-Nov-2025
The Creative Futures Fund is designed to spark bold new artistic ventures that showcase Australian stories and talent to large, diverse audiences.
This fund takes a unique approach to supporting the arts, focusing not on traditional grants but on strategic investments in exceptional projects that can demonstrate real ambition, wide audience reach, and lasting cultural impact. It seeks to back works that are distinctive, driven by strong artistic vision, and capable of attracting significant partnerships and co-investment from other sources.
At its core, the fund aims to help projects that might not be possible without this level of support—works that push creative boundaries while building strong networks of collaborators and stakeholders. Projects funded must be based on Australian stories and use intellectual property that is majority Australian-owned, ensuring authentic representation of the country’s culture and perspectives.
The fund offers two distinct investment streams. The Development Investment stream provides between $150,000 and $250,000 to support early stages of work—helping artists and organisations create and test new ideas, build skills, and lay the groundwork for future delivery. The Delivery Investment stream offers between $250,000 and $1.5 million to help bring projects to audiences at scale, supporting the final stages of development and large-scale presentation. These amounts are flexible and negotiated with Creative Australia based on the scope and potential of each project.
Eligible applicants include Australian arts and cultural organisations with their central management and operations in Australia, whether not-for-profit or commercial. Organisations already receiving multi-year investment can apply if their proposed projects are markedly more ambitious than those outlined in their existing plans and could not happen without this support. Previous recipients may apply again once their earlier project is fully completed and acquitted, or if it will be acquitted before the new project begins, provided they consult with the fund’s managers.
By prioritising ambition, originality, and collaboration, the Creative Futures Fund offers a powerful opportunity to elevate Australian storytelling on a grand scale—connecting local creative voices with new audiences and ensuring their work leaves a lasting cultural legacy.
For more information, visit Creative Australia.