Arts and Culture grants
The Arts and Cultural Annual Grants program reflects the City of Stonnington’s vision to be vibrant, imaginative and creative. Spanning a broad range of art forms and practices this grant supports inclusive, innovative, engaging, empowering, resilient and environmentally friendly projects. Collectively these place value on the importance of our creativity and cultural identity and strengthens the social, community and economic development of the City of Stonnington.
The City of Stonnington Arts and Cultural Grants:
- provides one year in-kind support for arts organisations, cultural organisations, community groups, emerging artists, and established artists to deliver appealing and contemporary cultural and creative projects
- connects communities through equitable, inclusive and accessible creative arts practice, activity, participation, location and attraction
- embraces and supports the knowledge, experience and cultures of different groups including First Nations people, culturally and linguistically diverse people, people living with disability, and LGBTIQA+ people
- raises the profile of arts and cultural activity throughout Stonnington
- recognises the importance of utilising environmentally sustainable practice at project development and delivery stages
- promotes the City of Stonnington as an exciting, attractive, safe, bold, and desired creative destination for community residents and those outside the boundaries
- supports arts organisations, cultural organisations, individuals, and groups to sustainably grow and succeed
- encourages shared connections and networking between members of the local arts and culture ecosystem
- supports promotion and celebration of arts and cultural programs with a wide audience
- evaluates the outcomes and impacts that creative arts and cultural projects have at personal, social, and economic levels.
Grant applications and guidelines
Open Wednesday 1 February 2023 from 12 pm via Smarty Grants, closing 12pm Friday 14 April 2023.
There are five Arts and Culture grants available. Check which is right for you, and read about its eligibility criteria in the guidelines before applying.
Triennial
The Arts and Cultural Annual Grants program (Triennial) reflects the City of Stonnington’s vision to be vibrant, imaginative and creative. Spanning a broad range of art forms and practices this grant supports inclusive, innovative, engaging, empowering, resilient and environmentally friendly projects. Collectively these place value on the importance of our creativity and cultural identity and strengthens the social, community and economic development of the City of Stonnington.
For more information, please view the (PDF, 248KB)Triennial-Arts-and-Cultural-Grant-Guidelines-2023.pdf(PDF, 261KB)
Apply now
Over $20,000 grant
The Arts and Cultural Annual Grants program (Over $20,000) reflects the City of Stonnington’s vision to be vibrant, imaginative and creative. Spanning a broad range of art forms and practices this grant supports inclusive, innovative, engaging, empowering, resilient and environmentally friendly projects. Collectively these place value on the importance of our creativity and cultural identity and strengthens the social, community and economic development of the City of Stonnington.
For more information please view the Annual Arts and Cultural Grant Guidelines - Over $20,000(PDF, 267KB).
Apply now
Up to $20,000 grant
The Arts and Cultural Annual Grants program (up to $20,000) reflects the City of Stonnington’s vision to be vibrant, imaginative and creative. Spanning a broad range of art forms and practices this grant supports inclusive, innovative, engaging, empowering, resilient and environmentally friendly projects. Collectively these place value on the importance of our creativity and cultural identity and strengthens the social, community and economic development of the City of Stonnington.
For more information, please view the Annual Arts and Cultural Grant Guidelines up to $20,000(PDF, 262KB).
Apply now
Chapel Off Chapel Venue In Kind
The Arts and Cultural Annual Grants program (Chapel Off Chapel Venue In-Kind) reflects the City of Stonnington’s vision to be vibrant, imaginative and creative. Spanning a broad range of art forms and practices this grant supports inclusive, innovative, engaging, empowering, resilient and environmentally friendly projects. Collectively these place value on the importance of our creativity and cultural identity and strengthens the social, community and economic development of the City of Stonnington.
For more information please view the Annual Arts and Cultural Grant Guidelines - Chapel Off Chapel Venue In Kind(PDF, 248KB).
Apply now
Venue In Kind
The Arts and Cultural Annual Grants program (Venue In-Kind) reflects the City of Stonnington’s vision to be vibrant, imaginative and creative. Spanning a broad range of art forms and practices this grant supports inclusive, innovative, engaging, empowering, resilient and environmentally friendly projects. Collectively these place value on the importance of our creativity and cultural identity and strengthens the social, community and economic development of the City of Stonnington.
For more information view the Annual Arts and Cultural Grant Guidelines - Venue In Kind(PDF, 197KB).
Apply now
Have any unanswered questions? Find information about auspices, funding, project changes, marketing support, public liability insurance, event permits and more on our Frequently Asked Questions page.
Assessment process
Unsuccessful applicants will be advised in July 2023.
Successful applicants will be contacted and required to enter into contract agreement with the City of Stonnington Grant Policy.
Applications are assessed against grant criteria by a panel consisting of internal and external arts industry professionals who shortlist recommendations for Council.
Success rests on the merits of the application against the assessment criteria and competition with other applications. In some cases, the panel will recommend part funding of an amount less than requested based on the application and supporting documents.
Assessment criteria
Assessment criteria
Applications are assessed on a weighted average scoring system, as shown below:
Theme
|
Criteria (what we are looking for)
|
Weighting (%)
|
Artistic merit
|
Extent to which the project’s purpose, artistic approach, and desired outcomes are clearly described.
|
30%
|
Extent to which the project embraces and celebrates innovation, originality, high standards, lessons learned, accessibility, social differences, and equity. |
Demonstrates previous or emerging strengths in arts and cultural ability and achievements and engagement with relevant artists. This includes submission of support letters and relevant artistic support material.
|
Capacity and viability
|
Shows strong financial and operational management planning, through provision of a realistic budget (including other sources of income and reasonable artist fees), project timeline plan and marketing plan.
|
20%
|
Shows planned resource and support confirmation, through details of tentative venue booking(s), contingency planning, project collaborator(s) if required (e.g. artists, partners) and public liability insurance.
|
|
|
|
Community engagement and reach
|
Extent to which the project will enhance social cohesion, wellbeing, and a sense of inclusion through participation and/or attendance by members of diverse communities.
|
20%
|
Extent to which the project event is likely to attract attendance from local community members, state-wide and/or national audiences.
|
|
|
|
Benefit and value
|
Demonstrates the project will be respectful of environmental sustainability.
|
20%
|
Extent to which economic returns on investment are possible, through partnerships with local businesses.
|
Extent to which the project may lead to potential career advancement, skill development and/or creative practitioner network development.
|
Alignment with Council Plans and Values
|
Shows alignment with the City of Stonnington Council Plan.
|
10%
|
Successful grant recipients 2022-23
Grant recipients will develop work across a diverse range of art forms that will increase the arts experiences for the community. Their work will contribute to the cultural vibrancy of the city, while sustaining our local arts and cultural profile.
A total of 20 applications were endorsed by Council. The successful recipients were awarded support from the $440,000 total pool of fund across the 5 grant categories:
- $73,922 awarded to Triennial Arts and Culture Grant applications
- $55,300 awarded to Arts and Culture Grant Over $20,000 applications
- $50,413 awarded to Arts and Culture Grant Up to $20,000 applications
- $38,840 awarded to Arts and Culture Grant Chapel Off Chapel In-Kind applications
- $8,761 awarded to Arts and Culture Grant Venue Hire In-Kind applications
Triennial
Applicant |
Project |
Funding |
Melbourne Shakespeare Inc. |
Melbourne Shakespeare Inc. |
Full |
Melbourne Queer Film Festival |
Melbourne Queer Film Festival |
Part |
Over $20k
Applicant |
Project |
Funding |
Round 1 |
GLAAS Inc |
GLAAS Inc |
Part |
Toorak Village Traders Association |
Toorak Village Traders Association |
Full |
Round 2 |
Just Another Pty Ltd |
ust Another Pty Ltd |
Full |
Up to $20k
Applicant |
Projects |
Funding |
Round 1 |
Malvern Theatre Company Inc. |
Malvern Theatre Company Inc. |
Full |
Mx Patrick Livesey |
Mx Patrick Livesey |
Full |
3MBS Fine Music Melbourne |
3MBS Fine Music Melbourne |
Full |
Mx Thalia Dudek |
Mx Thalia Dudek |
Full |
Melbourne Mandolin Orchestra |
Melbourne Mandolin Orchestra |
Full |
Round 2 |
Anita Lester |
Anita Lester |
Part |
Miles Johnson |
Miles Johnson |
Full |
Josh Sanders |
Josh Sanders |
Full |
Chelsea Plumley |
Chelsea Plumley |
Full |
Alison Richards |
Alison Richards |
Full |
Benjamin Cure |
Lionheart Dance Company |
Full |
Dean Bryant |
Dean Bryant |
Full |
Chapel Off Chapel hire in-kind
Applicant |
Projects |
Funding |
Mx Patrick Livesey |
Mx Patrick Livesey |
Full |
Mx Thalia Dudek |
Mx Thalia Dudek |
Full |
Melbourne Mandolin Orchestra |
Melbourne Mandolin Orchestra |
Full |
Theatrical Incorporated |
Theatrical Incorporated |
Part |
The Lieder Society of Victoria |
The Lieder Society of Victoria |
Full |
Ms Ariella Gordon |
Ms Ariella Gordon |
Full |
Venue in-kind
Applicant |
Project |
Funding |
3MBS Fine Music Melbourne |
3MBS Fine Music Melbourne |
Full |
Mr Scott Taylor |
Mr Scott Taylor |
Part |