Request for Applications: Individual Artist Grant Program (Australia)

Deadline: 11-Aug-2026

The Individual Artist Grant Program provides funding to individual artists delivering community-based arts and cultural projects that benefit residents of Greater Dandenong, Australia. The program supports creative initiatives that strengthen community connections, promote cultural diversity, increase participation in the arts, and engage new audiences while addressing local needs.

Individual Artist Grant Program

The Individual Artist Grant Program supports artists who use creative practice to deliver community-focused arts and cultural projects that create meaningful social, cultural, and artistic outcomes.

The program encourages artists to collaborate with local communities, celebrate cultural diversity, and develop projects that increase participation in arts and culture while contributing to the City of Greater Dandenong’s strategic priorities.

Program Objectives

The program aims to:

• Support community-based arts and cultural projects.
• Strengthen community participation in the arts.
• Build meaningful relationships between artists and local communities.
• Attract new and diverse audiences.
• Celebrate cultural diversity and intercultural understanding.
• Reduce social disadvantage and inequality through creative engagement.
• Improve access to arts and culture for at-risk individuals and communities.
• Build partnerships between artists and local organizations.
• Deliver projects aligned with the City of Greater Dandenong’s strategic objectives.

Focus Areas

Projects should contribute to one or more of the following:

• Community arts
• Cultural development
• Artist-led initiatives
• Community participation
• Social inclusion
• Cultural diversity
• Intercultural engagement
• Creative placemaking
• Audience development
• Community partnerships
• Arts accessibility
• Local cultural engagement
• Community wellbeing
• Capacity building
• Public arts activities

Funding Information

Individual artists can apply for funding to deliver eligible community arts projects.

Important:
Artists requesting more than AUD 5,000 must:

• Partner with a locally based organization.
• Submit the application through Stream 3: Arts Festivals and Events Grants.
• Have the partner organization manage the funded project.

Eligible Project Costs

Grant funding may be used for:

• Temporary staff costs
• Printing and publication
• Translation and interpreting services
• Equipment hire
• Venue hire
• Transportation for participants
• Volunteer expenses
• Marketing and promotion
• Advertising
• Essential project materials
• Public liability insurance required for the project

Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants include:

• Individual artists proposing artist-led community arts projects.

Where organizations are involved, they must be:

• Incorporated not-for-profit associations
• Registered charities
• Other eligible charitable legal entities
• Organizations operating under an eligible auspice arrangement

Organizational Eligibility Requirements

Organizations must:

• Operate within Greater Dandenong or provide services benefiting Greater Dandenong residents.
• Meet all previous grant reporting and acquittal requirements.
• Hold Public Liability Insurance of at least AUD 20 million (or equivalent).
• Deliver the project within the approved funding period.
• Have no outstanding debts to the City of Greater Dandenong.
• Have no outstanding grant acquittals.

Who is Not Eligible?

Funding will not support:

• Ineligible project activities
• Projects already receiving Council funding
• Projects outside Greater Dandenong that provide no local benefit
• Core organizational operating costs
• Capital purchases
• Political activities
• Religious activities
• Illegal or unsafe activities
• Commercial events
• Debt repayments
• Activities inconsistent with Council policies or objectives

Why This Grant Matters

Community arts play an important role in strengthening social connections, encouraging creativity, and fostering inclusion.

This program helps artists:

• Build stronger community relationships.
• Reach new audiences.
• Promote cultural understanding.
• Encourage participation from diverse communities.
• Deliver creative solutions to local issues.
• Improve access to arts experiences for vulnerable groups.
• Support vibrant local cultural life.

How to Apply

Follow these steps to prepare your application:

1. Confirm that you are an eligible individual artist.
2. Develop a community-based arts project that addresses local needs.
3. Identify community partners where appropriate.
4. If requesting more than AUD 5,000, secure a locally based partner organization to submit and manage the application.
5. Prepare a detailed project plan and budget.
6. Demonstrate how the project aligns with Council priorities.
7. Submit your application before the closing date.

Tips for a Strong Application

A successful proposal should:

• Clearly demonstrate community benefit.
• Show meaningful community participation.
• Explain how local residents will be engaged.
• Celebrate diversity and inclusion.
• Include realistic timelines and budgets.
• Build sustainable partnerships.
• Demonstrate strong project management.
• Show alignment with Council objectives.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid:

• Applying without meeting eligibility requirements.
• Requesting funding for operational expenses.
• Submitting projects with limited community involvement.
• Proposing activities outside Greater Dandenong without clear local benefit.
• Forgetting to partner with a local organization when requesting over AUD 5,000.
• Providing incomplete budgets or project plans.
• Failing to demonstrate alignment with Council priorities.

Expected Outcomes

Funded projects are expected to:

• Increase community participation in arts and culture.
• Strengthen community connections.
• Build relationships between artists and residents.
• Celebrate cultural diversity.
• Improve access to creative opportunities.
• Attract new audiences.
• Promote inclusion and social cohesion.
• Support vibrant local cultural development.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for the Individual Artist Grant Program?

Individual artists proposing community-based arts projects that benefit Greater Dandenong residents.

Can artists apply for more than AUD 5,000?

Yes. However, requests exceeding AUD 5,000 require a partnership with a locally based organization, which must submit and manage the application through Stream 3: Arts Festivals and Events Grants.

What types of projects are supported?

Community arts, cultural engagement, audience development, creative participation, intercultural activities, and projects addressing local community needs.

Can funding be used for equipment and venue hire?

Yes. Eligible costs include equipment hire, venue hire, printing, translation, promotion, transportation, volunteer expenses, project materials, and required public liability insurance.

What projects are not eligible?

Projects involving operational costs, capital purchases, political or religious activities, commercial events, debt repayment, illegal activities, or projects outside Greater Dandenong without community benefit are not eligible.

Do organizations need insurance?

Yes. Eligible organizations must hold Public Liability Insurance of AUD 20 million or equivalent.

Why does the program emphasize community engagement?

Community engagement ensures projects respond to local needs, strengthen social connections, increase participation, celebrate diversity, and create lasting cultural benefits for Greater Dandenong residents.

Conclusion

The Individual Artist Grant Program offers valuable support for artists committed to delivering creative projects that strengthen communities across Greater Dandenong. By funding community-led arts initiatives that promote inclusion, cultural diversity, and meaningful participation, the program helps artists create lasting social and cultural impact while expanding access to arts and culture for local residents.

For more information, visit City of Greater Dandenong.