Call for Applications: Arts, Festivals and Events Grants (Australia)

The City of Greater Dandenong Arts, Festivals and Events Grants provide funding of up to $10,000 to support arts projects, cultural events, and festivals that strengthen community connections, celebrate cultural diversity, and encourage community participation. The program is open to eligible not-for-profit organizations, community groups, and individual artists delivering projects that directly benefit Greater Dandenong residents.

The grants promote creative expression, inclusive participation, cultural exchange, and partnerships while supporting projects that activate public spaces and contribute to a vibrant local arts and cultural sector.

Overview of the Arts, Festivals and Events Grants

The Arts, Festivals and Events Grants program supports community-led arts and cultural initiatives that enrich community life across the City of Greater Dandenong.

The program encourages innovative projects that bring people together, celebrate cultural diversity, improve access to arts and culture, and strengthen community wellbeing through creative activities and public events.

Purpose of the Grant Program

The program aims to:

Support high-quality arts and cultural projects.
Celebrate cultural diversity and inclusion.
Strengthen community participation and social connection.
Encourage innovative and contemporary artistic practices.
Activate public spaces through creative events.
Promote partnerships between artists, organizations, and communities.
Improve access to arts and cultural experiences for residents.

Priority Focus Areas

Projects should address one or more of the following priorities:

High artistic merit
Innovative and contemporary arts
Cultural festivals
Community arts projects
Community participation
Cultural exchange
Public space activation
Accessibility and inclusion
Community connection
Collaboration and partnerships
Arts responses to emerging local issues

Funding Available

Funding is available through a biannual grant round.

Applicants may request:

Up to $10,000 per project

Funding requirements include:

Applications requesting up to $5,000 do not require supplementary funding, although additional contributions are encouraged.
Applications requesting between $5,001 and $10,000 must include at least $2,000 in confirmed supplementary funding or income.

Individual Artist Funding

Individual artists may apply for:

Community arts projects of up to $5,000

Projects requesting more than $5,000 must be:

Led by a local eligible organization
Delivered in partnership with artists

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

Incorporated not-for-profit organizations
Registered charities
Charitable entities
Community groups with an eligible auspice organization

Applicants must:

Operate within Greater Dandenong or directly benefit its residents.
Have met previous grant obligations (where applicable).
Hold appropriate public liability insurance.
Complete the project within the approved funding period.

School and Volunteer Group Eligibility

Schools and local volunteer groups may apply only for:

Community projects beyond their normal responsibilities
Activities that provide wider public benefits

Eligible Projects

Examples of projects that may be supported include:

Community arts exhibitions
Cultural festivals
Multicultural celebrations
Public art initiatives
Community performances
Creative workshops
Inclusive arts participation programs
Community storytelling projects
Public cultural events
Collaborative arts initiatives

Projects should demonstrate strong community engagement and public benefit.

Projects That Are Not Eligible

The program does not fund:

Projects primarily conducted outside Greater Dandenong
Commercial or profit-making activities
Political activities
Religious activities
Core operational expenses
Capital works
Duplicate projects
Retrospective funding for completed projects
Emergency relief activities
Debt repayments
Projects that do not comply with Council guidelines

Why This Grant Matters

Arts and cultural activities help create vibrant, connected, and inclusive communities.

This grant supports projects that:

Celebrate local diversity
Strengthen social inclusion
Encourage artistic innovation
Increase community participation
Improve access to arts and culture
Build stronger partnerships across the community

The program contributes to making Greater Dandenong a creative and culturally vibrant municipality.

How to Apply

Applicants should prepare a detailed project proposal that demonstrates artistic quality and community impact.

Step 1: Develop Your Project

Clearly explain:

Project concept
Artistic vision
Community need
Expected outcomes

Step 2: Prepare Your Budget

Include:

Total project cost
Funding requested
Confirmed supplementary funding (if required)
Other income sources

Step 3: Demonstrate Community Benefit

Explain:

Who will participate
How the project strengthens community connections
Accessibility measures
Cultural and social impact

Step 4: Confirm Eligibility

Ensure:

Your organization or auspice is eligible.
Insurance requirements are met.
The project complies with Council guidelines.

Step 5: Submit Your Application

Complete the application and submit all required supporting documents before the closing deadline.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applying for projects outside Greater Dandenong without demonstrating local benefits.
Requesting more than $5,000 without confirmed supplementary funding.
Including operational costs instead of project-specific expenses.
Failing to explain community engagement or accessibility.
Submitting projects that duplicate previously funded activities.
Providing an incomplete budget or missing required documentation.

Tips for a Strong Application

To strengthen your application:

Demonstrate clear artistic excellence and innovation.
Show strong community involvement.
Explain how the project promotes inclusion and accessibility.
Present a realistic and transparent budget.
Highlight partnerships and collaboration.
Clearly describe measurable community outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for the Arts, Festivals and Events Grants?

Eligible applicants include incorporated not-for-profit organizations, registered charities, charitable entities, and community groups with an eligible auspice organization operating within or benefiting Greater Dandenong.

How much funding is available?

Applicants may request up to $10,000 per project.

Can individual artists apply?

Yes. Individual artists may apply for community arts projects requesting up to $5,000. Larger funding requests must be led by an eligible local organization in partnership with artists.

Is supplementary funding required?

Applications requesting up to $5,000 do not require supplementary funding. Requests between $5,001 and $10,000 must include at least $2,000 in confirmed supplementary funding or income.

What types of projects are supported?

The program supports arts projects, cultural festivals, public art, performances, exhibitions, workshops, multicultural events, and community arts initiatives that benefit Greater Dandenong residents.

What projects are not eligible?

Commercial activities, political or religious projects, capital works, operational expenses, retrospective funding, emergency relief, debt repayments, and projects outside Greater Dandenong without local benefit are not eligible.

What makes a strong application?

Strong applications clearly demonstrate artistic quality, community engagement, accessibility, collaboration, measurable outcomes, and alignment with the program’s objectives.

Conclusion

The City of Greater Dandenong Arts, Festivals and Events Grants provide valuable funding for organizations and artists delivering creative projects that strengthen community connections and celebrate cultural diversity. By supporting inclusive arts initiatives, public festivals, and collaborative cultural activities, the program helps build a vibrant, welcoming, and culturally rich Greater Dandenong community.