Cardinia Arts Small Change Grants

About the grant

  • The Cardinia Arts Small Change Grants program aims to support new ideas and high-quality initiatives that contribute to the development and promotion of the local arts sector. 
  • Applications are currently closed and will reopen in September 2023.

Objectives 

The Cardinia Arts Small Change Grants provide funding to support local artists and groups to deliver arts initiatives that strengthen, enhance and benefit the Cardinia Shire community.
 
The grants aim to: 
  • support new ideas and high-quality initiatives that contribute to the development and promotion of the local arts sector; 
  • support the development of creative enterprise and individual arts practice; 
  • provide greater opportunities for community participation and/or experience of the arts; and 
  • foster partnerships and collaborations between local artists, residents and community groups. 

Eligibility criteria

Eligibility criteria

Applicants must:  
  • be an artist aged 18 years of older with a demonstrated connection to Cardinia Shire; 
  • have the time and ability to deliver the project successfully, including demonstrated experience in a specific artform or artforms; 
  • have a current Working with Children Check (if applicable to the project); and 
  • provide public liability insurance to the value of $20 million.

Project criteria 

Priority will be given to new projects and ideas. Projects that have been previously funded may be reconsidered after three or four years, providing there is a demonstrated change in membership of the group or change in the target audience. 
 
Successful projects will: 
  • utilise the arts (any medium) as the primary focus; 
  • have demonstrated local community and/or industry support; 
  • be a feasible and fininancially viable proposal; 
  • encourage community participation and accessibility; 
  • have some level of community outcome; and 
  • commit to the utilisation of local artists, arts groups, and cultural services where possible. 
We will not fund:  
  • projects which require recurrent funding; 
  • projects which receive funding from other Council grants or funding programs; 
  • projects that require retrospective funding; 
  • general administration costs, routine or cyclical maintenance; 
  • cash prizes or commercial gifts; and 
  • any proposals deemed not to comply with the overall intent of the program. 

Funding 

Funding of $1,000 (GST inclusive as applicable) will be provided to successful applicants. 
 
Please note that Council generally receives more applications for financial assistance than funds available, therefore not all applications can be supported. Priority will be given to new projects, and applications from diverse communities are encouraged. Artists and art groups 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. 
 
Funding decisions are at the discretion of Cardinia Shire Council. Fulfilling the eligibility criteria does not guarantee funding. 
 
Please also note, Cardinia Shire Council makes grants available from a number of programs. Applicants may apply for a grant from more than one program, but can only accept one grant per project. 

How to apply

All grant applications must be submitted online via the SmartyGrants system.
 
SmartyGrants allows you to save, develop and print your application prior to submitting.  

Enquiries

To discuss the Cardinia Arts Small Change Grants, please contact our Arts team at arts@cardinia.vic.gov.au

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