Arts Investment Grants Program

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the Australian arts and culture sector, with local artists and arts organisations reporting considerable financial hardship due to event cancellations and loss of income. 

We recognise the challenges the sector is currently facing and have established the Flourish: Arts Recovery Grants as a once-off grant program to support the local sector during this crisis. These grants have been designed to help the arts and culture sector of Merri-bek flourish. This grant program will temporarily replace the 2020/2021 Arts Activation and Arts Investment Grants.

Learn more about Flourish Arts Recovery Grant program.

The Arts Activation and Arts Investment Grants program will resume in 2021/2022.

Arts Investment Grant Program

Objectives of Arts Investment Grants Program

Applications need to address at least one of the following objectives:

  • Support Merri-bek's arts sector to maintain and grow their practice in the municipality
  • Address identified arts infrastructure needs in the municipality
  • Provide capacity building opportunities to the local arts sector

Grant Types 

Infrastructure Grants
Grants of up to $10,000 available for new arts infrastructure projects which address one or more of the objectives of the Arts Investment Program in line with the funding preferences. This could include either moving or expanding premises, the purchase of new equipment or maintenance and fit out of arts facilities. Applicants are required to demonstrate how this will make a valuable contribution to the arts sector of Merri-bek.

Organisational Grants
Grants of up to $5,000 available for Merri-bek based organisations that can demonstrate having delivered outcomes aligned with at least one of the Arts Investment Program objectives for at least three years. This funding could be used for annual operational costs or professional development activities available for the growth of the sector.

How to apply for an Arts Investment Grant
Details of the 2021 grant round will be posted here in the future. Applications are currently closed.