Cardinia Arts Grants

Why council offers the Arts Grants

Council offers arts grant opportunities to support creatives to innovate and connect their artistic practice with communities across the shire. 
 
We do this to support: 

• Support new ideas and high-quality initiatives that contribute to the development and promotion of the local arts sector 

• Support the growth of creative enterprises and individual arts practices 

• Provide opportunities for the community to experience and participate in the arts, and 

• Foster partnerships and collaborations between local artists, residents, and local community groups.

What you can apply for

Artists and arts groups can apply for a grant of up to $5,000 from a pool of $31,000 for initiatives that utilise, expand, and promote the arts in Cardinia Shire.  
Applicants are required to contact one of our arts project officers to discuss their project idea prior to submitting. 

Before you apply

1. Check your group/organisation is eligible for funding by reviewing the objectives and priorities of the grant guidelines. (hyperlinked) 

2. Review all of the resources on this page. 

3. Book a time speak to the Cultural Development and Grants Officer, Bronwyn Ward 

4. Ensure you have provided all the relevant support material and that all links are live and permissions are provided. 

5. Complete and submit the application via SmartyGrants before 11.59pm, 24 June 2026.

Resources

Guidelines

Download the slides for Grant Budgets and Acquittals

Download slides for the Grant Writing Guide

Recordings 

How to apply

Key dates

Criteria

Selection criteria

Applications will be judged against the following criteria: 

• Artistic merit (innovation, individuality, track record and/or proven ability) 

• Proposed project (outcome, approach, plan) 

• Relevance to community (ability to connect with locals and/or promote interest in the arts) 

• Feasibility (budget, timeline, risk, scale). 

Eligibility criteria

Applicants must:  

• have a demonstrated connection to Cardinia Shire (such as resident, work, study, family, community group, creative organisation, etc.) 

• be aged 18 years or above 

• be focused on growing arts engagement in Cardinia Shire 

• have the time and ability to deliver the project successfully within the financial year 

• have demonstrated experience, or proven ability, in a specific artform or artforms 

• have a current Working with Children Check (if applicable to the project) 

• if the project involves Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people, artwork or significant cultural reference you must provide evidence of permissions via letter of support and ensure payment is included in budget 

• provide public liability insurance to the value of $20 million. 

Project criteria

Successful projects will: 

• show innovation in form and/or content 

• demonstrate a need at this particular time for the proposed project 

• have a connection with local communities either during the project development or as part of the project outcome 

• be a feasible proposal that is financially viable whilst ensuring participating artists are being paid appropriately (see NAVA and MEAA for reference) 

• have adequate project planning and risk management 

• be well documented (e.g., an actual work or photos/videos) with the content available at the completion of the project for Council to promote. 

We will not fund:  

• projects which require recurrent funding (ie. projects which replicate previously funded projects without innovation) 

• Projects which cannot be delivered withing the 2026-27 financial year 

• projects which receive funding from other Council grants/funding programs 

• professional development for individual artists 

• projects that require retrospective funding 

• general administration costs, routine or cyclical maintenance 

• cash prizes or commercial gifts 

• Projects that conflict in any way with a Cardinia Shire Council Policy, including (but not limited to) Cardinia Shires Council’s Gambling Harm Prevention and Minimisation Policy and 

• any proposals deemed not to comply with the overall intent of the program. 

Funding information

Per grant round, grants of up to $5,000 (GST exclusive as applicable) will be provided on a one-off basis to each artist whose application is successful. 

Please note that Council generally receives more applications for financial assistance than funds available, and therefore not all applications can be supported. Priority will be given to new projects, and applications from diverse communities are encouraged. Artists from all career stages are welcome to apply.  

Applicants are also welcome to demonstrate partnership with other artists e.g. local, interstate and/or international. Applicants may consider the use of one of Cardinia Shire’s creative venues for all or part of their project (such as Cardinia Cultural Centre or Hills Hub). All Cardinia shire creative venue usage must be discussed with the Council Cultural Development and Grants Officer prior to application and is not guaranteed. 

Funding decisions are at the discretion of Cardinia Shire Council. Fulfilling the assessment criteria does not guarantee funding. 

Procedural guidelines

Once the Cardinia Arts Grants applications have closed, applications will be reviewed initially to determine if they are eligible or ineligible for funding.   
Eligible applications will then be reviewed by an assessment panel who will score applications against the selection criteria and then reviewed by the Cardinia Shire Council Arts and Culture Reference Group.  
Successful applicants will be required to complete and sign a funding agreement, which will outline responsibilities of both parties and reporting requirements.   

Important contacts

General enquiries  

If you have any questions in relation to the grant program or accessibility requirements, please contact the Cultural Development and Grants Officer, Bronwyn Ward on 03 5943 4936 or email arts@cardinia.vic.gov.au.    

Smarty Grants technical assistance  

Please note, SmartyGrants is an independently run platform, If you experience technical issues with the SmartyGrants system, please contact them directly via email service@smartygrants.com.au or by calling 03 9320 6888 (Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm).