Open Call: Creative Australia Arts and Disability Initiative

Deadline: 07-Jul-2026

Creative Australia is inviting applications for the Arts and Disability Initiative to support d/Deaf and disabled artists and arts workers in developing new work and strengthening their creative practice. Grants of $30,000 are available, and applicants must request this exact amount. Applicants may also request up to $3,000 in additional funding for access costs related to themselves or people involved in the project.

Overview

The Arts and Disability Initiative supports d/Deaf and disabled artists and arts workers in Australia.

The initiative is designed to help individuals develop new creative work, strengthen artistic practice, build skills, and create more opportunities for access, inclusion, and equity in the arts.

It supports a wide range of creative activities, including experimentation, mentoring, residencies, research, presentation, and promotion.

Key Focus Areas

The initiative focuses on creative development, access, inclusion, and career growth in the arts.

Key focus areas include:

• Creative development
• Experimentation
• Creation of new work
• Presentation and promotion
• Skills development
• Practice-based research
• Mentoring
• Residencies
• Collaboration
• Access costs
• Artistic practice
• Career development
• Creative networks
• Accessibility
• Inclusion
• Equity in the arts

Purpose of the Initiative

The purpose of the Arts and Disability Initiative is to support d/Deaf and disabled artists and arts workers to develop and advance their creative practice.

The initiative helps artists explore new ideas, create new work, build professional skills, and strengthen their careers.

It also supports greater accessibility and equity by recognizing the specific access needs of d/Deaf and disabled artists and arts workers.

Grant Amount

Grants of $30,000 are available.

Applicants must request the exact amount of $30,000.

Applicants may also apply for up to $3,000 in additional funding to support access costs.

Access costs may relate to the applicant or other people involved in the project.

Who is Eligible?

The initiative is open to individuals who identify as d/Deaf or disabled artists or arts workers.

Eligible applicants must be:

• d/Deaf or disabled artists
• d/Deaf or disabled arts workers
• Australian citizens, or
• Australian permanent residents

Organisations cannot apply.

However, an individual may apply on behalf of an unincorporated group.

Who Cannot Apply?

The initiative is not open to organisations.

Ineligible applicants include:

• Incorporated organisations
• Applicants who do not identify as d/Deaf or disabled artists or arts workers
• Applicants who are not Australian citizens or Australian permanent residents
• Activities lasting longer than two years from the proposed start date

What the Initiative Can Support

The initiative can support a wide range of creative and professional development activities.

Supported activities may include:

• Development of new creative work
• Creation of new artistic projects
• Career development activities
• Mentoring
• Residencies
• Research and development
• Practice-based research
• Presentation of creative work
• Promotion of creative work
• Collaboration with other artists or arts workers
• Skills development
• Activities that strengthen artistic practice
• Activities that expand professional networks

Activities must not last longer than two years from the proposed start date.

Access Cost Support

Applicants may apply for up to $3,000 in additional access funding.

This funding can support access needs connected to the project.

Access support may relate to:

• The applicant
• Collaborators
• Support workers
• Interpreters
• Other people involved in the project
• Accessibility requirements that enable participation

Applicants should clearly explain why access support is needed and how it will help the project take place.

Assessment Process

Applications will be assessed by peers from the arts sector.

Most assessors will identify as d/Deaf or disabled.

Applications will be assessed against three key areas:

• Quality of the proposed activity
• Viability of the proposed activity
• Impact of the proposed activity

Applicants should make sure their proposal clearly explains the artistic idea, the project plan, and the expected benefit for their creative practice or career.

Assessment Criteria Explained

Quality

Quality refers to the strength, originality, and artistic value of the proposed activity.

Applicants should explain the creative idea, artistic goals, and why the project is important for their practice.

Viability

Viability refers to whether the project can be realistically delivered.

Applicants should provide a clear timeline, realistic budget, suitable collaborators, and an achievable plan.

Impact

Impact refers to the expected benefit of the activity.

This may include development of new work, career growth, stronger networks, increased visibility, improved access, or long-term benefits for the artist’s practice.

Why It Matters

The Arts and Disability Initiative matters because d/Deaf and disabled artists and arts workers often face barriers to funding, visibility, participation, and career development in the arts sector.

By providing direct funding and additional access support, the initiative helps artists create work on more equitable terms.

It also contributes to a more inclusive arts sector where d/Deaf and disabled creative practitioners can lead, experiment, collaborate, and share their work with wider audiences.

How to Apply or Prepare a Strong Application

Applicants should prepare a clear proposal that explains the creative activity, the project plan, the budget, access needs, and expected outcomes.

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Applicants should first confirm that they identify as d/Deaf or disabled artists or arts workers.

They should also confirm that they are Australian citizens or Australian permanent residents.

Step 2: Define the Creative Activity

Applicants should clearly describe the activity they want to undertake.

This may include:

• Developing new work
• Researching a creative idea
• Working with a mentor
• Undertaking a residency
• Collaborating with others
• Presenting or promoting work
• Strengthening artistic skills

Step 3: Explain the Artistic Purpose

The application should explain why the activity is important.

Applicants should describe:

• The creative idea
• The artistic goals
• The stage of development
• The need for support
• How the activity will strengthen their practice

Step 4: Prepare a Realistic Project Plan

Applicants should provide a clear and achievable project plan.

The plan should include:

• Project start date
• Project end date
• Key activities
• Timeline
• Collaborators or mentors, if relevant
• Outputs or expected results
• Any presentation or promotion plans

The activity must not last longer than two years from the proposed start date.

Step 5: Prepare the Budget

Applicants must request exactly $30,000.

The budget should clearly show how the grant will be used.

Applicants may also include up to $3,000 in additional access costs if needed.

Step 6: Explain Access Needs

Applicants requesting access support should explain what access costs are required and how they relate to the project.

The explanation should be clear, practical, and connected to participation in the activity.

Step 7: Show Expected Impact

Applicants should explain how the project will support their creative development or career.

Expected impacts may include:

• New creative work
• Stronger artistic practice
• Expanded professional networks
• Increased visibility
• Improved skills
• New collaborations
• Career progression
• Greater accessibility and inclusion

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid submitting unclear or incomplete proposals.

Common mistakes include:

• Requesting an amount other than $30,000
• Forgetting to include access costs separately where needed
• Applying as an organisation
• Not clearly identifying as a d/Deaf or disabled artist or arts worker
• Proposing an activity longer than two years
• Providing a vague creative idea
• Not explaining the project timeline
• Not showing how the activity will strengthen creative practice
• Providing an unrealistic budget
• Not addressing quality, viability, and impact clearly

Tips for a Strong Application

A strong application should be clear, practical, and artist-centred.

Useful tips include:

• Clearly explain the creative idea.
• Show why the project matters to your artistic practice.
• Make sure the budget requests exactly $30,000.
• Include access costs separately if needed.
• Explain how the activity is achievable.
• Show how the project will support career development.
• Highlight collaboration, mentoring, or networks where relevant.
• Keep the timeline realistic and under two years.
• Address quality, viability, and impact directly.
• Use clear language to explain the expected outcomes.

FAQ

1. What is the Creative Australia Arts and Disability Initiative?

The Arts and Disability Initiative is a funding opportunity that supports d/Deaf and disabled artists and arts workers to develop new work, strengthen creative practice, and build arts careers.

2. How much funding is available?

Grants of $30,000 are available, and applicants must request this exact amount.

3. Can applicants request access costs?

Yes. Applicants may request up to $3,000 in additional funding to support access costs for themselves or other people involved in the project.

4. Who can apply?

Individuals who identify as d/Deaf or disabled artists or arts workers and are Australian citizens or Australian permanent residents can apply.

5. Can organisations apply?

No. Organisations cannot apply. However, an individual may apply on behalf of an unincorporated group.

6. What activities can be supported?

Supported activities may include creative development, new work, career development, mentoring, residencies, research and development, presentation, promotion, collaboration, and skills development.

7. How will applications be assessed?

Applications will be assessed by peers from the arts sector, most of whom will identify as d/Deaf or disabled. Assessment will consider the quality, viability, and impact of the proposed activity.

Conclusion

The Creative Australia Arts and Disability Initiative provides dedicated support for d/Deaf and disabled artists and arts workers to develop new work, strengthen creative practice, and progress their careers.

With grants of $30,000 and additional access funding of up to $3,000, the initiative helps remove barriers and promote inclusion, equity, and accessibility in the arts. Strong applications should clearly explain the creative activity, project plan, access needs, artistic value, feasibility, and expected impact.

For more information, visit Creative Australia.