South West Victorian Artists; Jasmine Mansbridge, Madi Whyte and Jimmi Buscombe, painting the Hamilton McGuigan Lane Mural – Photo by Emma Gillespie.

Independent creatives & micro-organisations in the Greater Hamilton region are encouraged to apply for $5-$10k grants from the Sustaining Creative Workers initiative, part of the Victorian Government’s new $16.8 million funding package to support our creative state. As of 13 May, this package has been extended to include additional funding to key cultural institutions, a $4 million Music Industry Support Package and an additional $2 million to the Sustaining Creative Workers grant pool.

This funding is made up of:

  • $13 million Strategic Investment Fund, for almost 100 non-government arts and cultural organisations funded by Creative Victoria on a multi-year basis. Creative Victoria will contacted eligible organisations directly.
  • $2.2 million Sustaining Creative Workers quick response grants, for Victorian-based independent creatives and micro-organisations with at least five years of professional experience. Regional applicants apply through Regional Arts Victoria from April 30 to June 1 or until the funding pool is exhausted (note the $2 million additional funding announcement).
  • $1.6 million through the latest rounds of the VicArts GrantsMusic Works, and Innovation in Marketing. Grants announced in coming weeks, speak to Regional Arts Victoria for more details.

The immediate opportunity for Greater Hamilton-based creatives, artists and organisations is through the Sustaining Creative Workers Grants, especially for regional Victorians.

Applications will be accepted for requests of:

  • Up to $5,000 for individuals, sole traders and freelancers
  • Up to $10,000 for collectives, micro-organisations and businesses employing less than 5 full time staff
  • Up to $2,500 in additional access funding for applications from Deaf and Disabled creatives, artists, arts workers and disability-led organisations/businesses

Jo Grant – Creative Arts Facilitator, RAV

Jo Grant is our Great South Coast contact for Regional Arts Victoria, and is available to discuss your application, make sure you’re eligible and guide you through what support is available.

Contact Jo directly via jgrant@rav.net.au or by calling 0448 500 608 (M-F). 


Applications are encouraged from creative disciplines including visual arts/craft, literature, contemporary dance/physical performance, community creative practice, circus, cabaret, music, sound art, theatre, fashion, design, screen and digital games, multidisciplinary and experimental work.

Funding can be used for planning and adapting to the ‘new normal’, undertaking research or exploring new ways to engage audiences (digitally or otherwise), exploring markets for your creative work, or developing products and skills.

Creative Victoria is currently working on developing further support for practitioners with less than five years practice too- subscribe to their news to be informed of updates.

This is a great opportunity for our local creatives to access financial support to continue to work in their creative field, adapt to change, provide opportunities for community participation, and ultimately ensure that the Greater Hamilton region remains vibrant, creative and resilient throughout this pandemic.

See the Regional Arts Victoria website for guidelines and the online SmartyGrants application form- applications close June 1 or until allocation exhausted!

Hamilton Mural by local artist, Jasmine Mansbridge, via jasminemansbridge.com