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.

Grant purpose

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 midday via Smarty Grants, closing 12 midday 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 Triennial Arts and Cultural Grant Guidelines 2023(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, 198KB)

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 a 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

Applications are assessed on a weighted average scoring system.

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.
  • 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 the submission of support letters and relevant artistic support material.
30
Capacity and viability
  • Shows strong financial and operational management planning, through the provision of a realistic budget (including other sources of income and reasonable artist fees), project timeline plan and marketing plan.
  • 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.
20
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.
  • Extent to which the project event is likely to attract attendance from local community members, state-wide and/or national audiences.
20
Benefit and value
  • Demonstrates the project will be respectful of environmental sustainability.
  • 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.
20
Alignment with Council Plans and Values Shows alignment with the City of Stonnington Council Plan. 10

Contact us

Email: acgrants@stonnington.vic.gov.au
Phone: 03 8290 1231

Successful grant recipients 2023/24

Grant recipients will develop work across a diverse range of art forms that will increase the art 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 31 applications were endorsed by Council. The successful recipients were awarded support from the $440,000 total pool of funds across the 5 grant categories:

  • $208,993 awarded to Arts and Culture Grant Over $20,000 applications
  • $136,924 awarded to Arts and Culture Grant Up to $20,000 applications
  • $80,253 awarded to Arts and Culture Grant Chapel Off Chapel In-Kind applications
  • $9,780 awarded to Arts and Culture Grant Venue Hire In-Kind applications

Over $20k

Applicant Project Funding
Round 1
Watch This Inc A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to The Forum Part
Finucane & Smith Unlimited The Exotic Lives of Lola Montez Full
NotFair Art Foundation NotFair Art Fair 2023  Part 
Benjamin Cure Together As One Part
GLAAS INC Access to Glass Part
Malvern Theatre Company Emerging Leaders Program 2024 Part
National Institute of Circus Arts Melbourne Fringe NICA Southside Arts Precinct 2023 Full

Up to $20k

Applicant Projects Funding
Jessica Coldrey Into the Rabbit Hole Full
Melbourne Mandolin Orchestra New Horizons Full
Taiwan Film Festival 6th Taiwan Film Festival in Australia Full
Esther Test Trans(actions) Full
Dr Ashley Crawford Das KAPITAL Full
Gary Prince KenDon Museum Photography & Website upgrade Full
Firestation Print Studio LinoClub Outreach Workshops  Full 
3MBS Melbourne Shaping Soundscapes Full
Alex Moffatt Send Nudes, A New Musical Full
Ross Dwyer Apartment No.42  Full

Chapel Off Chapel hire in-kind

Applicant Projects Funding
Watch This Inc. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum Full
Melbourne Mandolin Orchestra New Horizons Full
James Terry Collective Kinky Boots Full
Alex Moffatt Send Nudes, A New Musical Full
Theatrical Incorporated Dogfight Part
Anthropocene Play Company 7 Captiva Road Full
Finucane & Smith Unlimited The Exotic Lives of Lola Montez Full 
Australian Tap Dance Festival Gala & Pro Show Full 

Venue in-kind

Applicant Project Funding
Lion Heart Dance Company Together As One Part
David Christopher Chandler The Story Keepers Full