Australian Cultural Fund
Available all year
A fundraising platform for Australian artists. Upload your project, start your fundraising campaign and invite art lovers and supporters to donate with 100% of donations going directly towards your creative project.
Fundraising coaching & advice
Available all year
In our bespoke one-on-one sessions, we’ll equip you with the tools, knowledge, and opportunities to improve you fundraising capability.
The Artist as Fundraiser and the Art in Raising Funds: Brisbane/Meanjin
January 14, 2025 5:00 pm (AEDT)
A free 3 hour fundraising workshop, ideal for artists, producers and collectives looking to boost their knowledge, skills and confidence to strategically build supporter relationships and grow income from donations.
Fundamentals of Arts Fundraising (Jambinu/Geraldton)
January 28, 2025 2:00 pm (AEDT)
Understand the foundations of arts fundraising to build greater sustainability for arts organisations and artists.
The Fundamentals of Arts Fundraising Workshop (Warrane/Sydney)
January 28, 2025 2:00 pm (AEDT)
Understand the foundations of arts fundraising to build greater sustainability for arts organisations and artists.
Dal Stivens Award
February 4, 2025 3:00 pm (AEDT)
The Dal Stivens Award is presented biennially to an author, aged 30 or under, for a short story or essay of the highest literary merit.
Kathleen Mitchell Award
February 4, 2025 3:00 pm (AEDT)
The Kathleen Mitchell Award is presented biennially to the author, aged 30 or under, of an outstanding novel or novella to encourage advancement in their literary career.
The Marten Bequest Scholarships
February 4, 2025 3:00 pm (AEDT)
Offering talented young artists the chance to explore, study and develop in the areas of:
Acting
Instrumental Music
Painting
Poetry
Prime Minister’s Literary Awards 2025
February 4, 2025 3:00 pm (AEDT)
$5000 to $80,000
The Prime Minister’s Literary Awards is the richest literary prize in the nation, with six categories: fiction, non-fiction, young adult literature, children’s literature, poetry and Australian history.
International Travel Fund
February 4, 2025 3:00 pm (AEDT)
$5,000 to $20,000
$5,000 to $20,000 to support travel costs associated with attending key market development and cultural exchange platforms and gatherings.
Storytelling and Recording: First Nations Project Fund
February 4, 2025 3:00 pm (AEDT)
Supporting First Nations media organisations and individuals to create culturally significant storytelling and recording projects.
Arts Projects for Individuals and Groups
March 4, 2025 3:00 pm (AEDT)
$10,000 to $50,000
This program funds a range of activities that deliver benefits to the arts sector and wider public, including national and international audiences and communities.
Successful applications
Select the type of application from the dropdown menu or enter the title.
Australian Cultural Fund
A fundraising platform for Australian artists. Upload your project, start your fundraising campaign and invite art lovers and supporters to donate with 100% of donations going directly towards your creative project.Fundraising coaching & advice
In our bespoke one-on-one sessions, we’ll equip you with the tools, knowledge, and opportunities to improve you fundraising capability.The Artist as Fundraiser and the Art in Raising Funds: Brisbane/Meanjin
A free 3 hour fundraising workshop, ideal for artists, producers and collectives looking to boost their knowledge, skills and confidence to strategically build supporter relationships and grow income from donations.Fundamentals of Arts Fundraising (Jambinu/Geraldton)
Understand the foundations of arts fundraising to build greater sustainability for arts organisations and artists.The Fundamentals of Arts Fundraising Workshop (Warrane/Sydney)
Understand the foundations of arts fundraising to build greater sustainability for arts organisations and artists.Dal Stivens Award
The Dal Stivens Award is presented biennially to an author, aged 30 or under, for a short story or essay of the highest literary merit.Kathleen Mitchell Award
The Kathleen Mitchell Award is presented biennially to the author, aged 30 or under, of an outstanding novel or novella to encourage advancement in their literary career.The Marten Bequest Scholarships
Offering talented young artists the chance to explore, study and develop in the areas of: Acting Instrumental Music Painting PoetryPrime Minister’s Literary Awards 2025
$5000 to $80,000
The Prime Minister’s Literary Awards is the richest literary prize in the nation, with six categories: fiction, non-fiction, young adult literature, children’s literature, poetry and Australian history.International Travel Fund
$5,000 to $20,000
$5,000 to $20,000 to support travel costs associated with attending key market development and cultural exchange platforms and gatherings.Storytelling and Recording: First Nations Project Fund
Supporting First Nations media organisations and individuals to create culturally significant storytelling and recording projects.Arts Projects for Individuals and Groups
$10,000 to $50,000
This program funds a range of activities that deliver benefits to the arts sector and wider public, including national and international audiences and communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Australia Council staff will review applications against the assessment criteria. For stage 2 of the assessment, we will seek the advice of industry advisors.
Assessment will occur in two stages:
- · Stage 1: Eligible applications will be reviewed against the assessment criteria and shortlisted for Stage 2.
- · Stage 2: Shortlisted applicants will be invited to pitch their initiative to a panel.
Successfully shortlisted applicants will be notified on the outcome of their application by:
- · Stage 1 shortlist notification mid March 2021
- · Stage 2 successful applicants by late April 2021
Yes. Initiatives must start after 1 May 2021 and must be completed by 30 June 2022.
Yes. We will accept applications in written format, audio and video format, including in Auslan. If you are submitting a video or audio application please follow the order of questions in the application form as closely as possible.
Video and audio applications must not be longer than six minutes. Please submit your application video or audio as part of the support material and note in the application form “refer to application video/audio.”
While there is no universally accepted definition, the terms ‘cultural’ and ‘creative’ are often used to describe activities connected with the arts, media, heritage, design, fashion, and information technology.
The arts are both cultural and creative and are at the heart of the cultural and creative industries.
Local Government can apply on behalf of Council owned arts centres, venues, galleries, and theatres and standalone programs (such as festivals). For all other applications, they can partner with eligible applicants to deliver their initiative.
Not-for-profit organisations can apply on behalf of an arts and cultural organisation.
International organisations cannot apply as the primary applicant. An eligible applicant can partner with an international organisation for either stream. These partnerships must be strategic in nature in order to be competitive.
The two funding streams are designed for the benefit of Australian artists and arts organisations. If you make a strong case that the primary nature of funds paid to international artists is to benefit Australian artists; for example, in a mentoring role, then the costs are eligible. If travel is required, you will need to demonstrate consideration for the current travel restrictions in place and how this affects the viability of your project or activity.
If you are applying to the Re-imagine: Cultural and Creative Solutions stream you do not need to have confirmed partners. However, applications involving confirmed partners are likely to be more competitive.
If you are applying to the Re-imagine: Industry Collaborations stream, you need to confirm partners by submitting either a memorandum of understanding (MOU) or letter of confirmation as letters of support. Confirmation from partners indicates their commitment to the project and provides strong evidence of viability.
Evidence of their willingness to participate is essential. You should also describe your track record of working with this community, and explain what the community’s role will be, your process of working with them and what the artistic, creative or cultural benefits will be.
Yes, but the activity must address the selection criteria in order to be competitive. We encourage you to consider the Arts Projects categories for new work applications.
Yes, provided you are able to make a compelling case against the selection criteria for the relevant opportunity. You will need to demonstrate how the activity goes beyond ‘business-as-usual’ in order to be competitive. You cannot apply for activity that has already taken place.
Yes, however your application must clearly demonstrate an outward facing outcome in support of the recovery and continued sustainability of the cultural and creative industries within the specified period.
Yes. Make sure you register well before the closing date. It can take up to two business days to process your registration.
We recommend that you create an account at least two weeks before the end of the closing date. Please refer to our ‘Making a grant application’ page for further information.
Click on the ‘Apply Now’ button or go to https://australiacouncil.fluxx.io/. In the bottom right corner of that page, click on the ‘Create An Account’ button and fill out the registration form. Once submitted it can take up to two business days to receive your login credentials.