Legacy Funding Programs
The following are legacy programs. We are no longer taking applications for these programs. For all the latest news about our current funding opportunities, sign up to our [newsletter].
Our funding programs are designed to support artists and arts organisations to improve their fundraising skills, build a sustainable arts practice and secure funding through private donors, philanthropy and business partnerships and sponsorships.
A scene from The Return by Circa @ Barbican Theatre. Directed by Yaron Lifschitz. ©Tristram Kenton
ACF Boost
A matched funding initiative for users of the Australian Cultural Fund.
ACF Boost is a funding program designed to enable Australia’s independent artists, small groups and arts organisations to leverage private sector support through a matched funding ‘boost’.
The program offered dollar-for-dollar matched funding of up to $5,000 for projects that were developed, produced or toured within Australia that raised funds through the Australian Cultural Fund (ACF) platform.
Applications were open to independent artists and arts organisations across Australia with preference given to those residing, practicing in or touring work to bushfire or drought affected regions.
Culture Business Canberra
We offered 25 arts organisations a fully-subsidised ticket to attend Culture Business, a leading conference for fundraising in the arts in November 2018.
As principal sponsors, Creative Partnerships Australia, in partnership with Culture Business and the Department of Communications and the Arts, offered 25 complimentary passes – one per arts organisation – to attend this conference as a professional development opportunity.
Applicants had to be employed in a role that includes fundraising and development. Organisations had to be registered as a not-for-profit organisation and have an annual turnover of less than $5 million in the previous financial year.
As Culture Business has previously taken place in Melbourne and Sydney, priority was given to organisations based in SA, WA, QLD, TAS, NT or ACT. Applications from regional VIC or NSW were also considered.
Leadership Professional Development Grants
These grants were designed to promote improved leadership and greater capacity for senior fundraising and development staff in arts organisations.
The Leadership Professional Development Grants program offered professional development opportunities to emerging leaders in senior fundraising and development roles within arts and cultural organisations.
The program, delivered in 2014/15, provided training and opportunities to benefit individual applicants, their organisations, and the arts sector more broadly.
Three recipients were each awarded grants of $15,000 to cover the costs of attending a leadership program. The grants could be used in Australia or abroad, to further the leadership and professional development of the successful applicants.
Successful recipients of the 2014/15 program included:
- Amanda Jolly, Queensland Theatre Company (QLD)
- Pauline Caddy, Back to Back Theatre Company (VIC)
- Moira Finucane, Finucane & Smith (VIC)
Generate Design
The Generate Design program was delivered in 2013/14 and supported graphic designers looking to create or innovate in their own business.
Generate Design, delivered with the Creative Industries Innovation Centre (CIIC) and the Australian Graphic Design Association (AGDA), gave 135 participants across Australia a chance to take part in a business planning and mentoring intensive to invest in the growth and development of the Australian graphic design industry.
Ten finalists then received $10,000 business development grants. All participants were start-ups or small agencies with plans for growth and innovation.
Successful recipients of Generate Design in 2013/14 included:
- Amber Standley, Apositive, ACT – $10,000
- Daniel McKeating, Studio Lost and Found, WA – $10,000
- David & Rebecca McBurney, Merry Go Round, VIC – $10,000
- Dot Georgoulas, Typeoffice, VIC – $10,000
- Erin Harris, Crooked Micks Creative, VIC – $10,000
- Euan Black, Hart Black, WA – $10,000
- Georgia Perry, NSW – $10,000
- Luke Beeton, Sailor Studio, NSW – $10,000
- Melanie Topham, Tomorrow People, NSW – $10,000
- Renee Weaver, Evolve Brand Design, QLD – $10,000
Philanthropy Mentoring Program
The Philanthropy Mentoring Program offered 12-month mentoring opportunities to cultural sector managers and executives to boost skills in philanthropic development.
The Philanthropy Mentoring Program offered mentorships for professionals working in philanthropic development.
Successful applicants were placed with experienced executives to glean strategic advice and practical insights into increasing revenue via philanthropy.
Through pairing recipients one-on-one with leaders and company directors, philanthropy and development managers could hone skills, establish key relationships and ultimately increase revenue.
We committed to providing 17 individual mentorships around Australia in 2015.
The successful recipients of the 2015 Philanthropy Mentoring Program included:
- Paola Niscioli, Adelaide Symphony Orchestra (SA)
- Christina Chiam, Australian Youth Orchestra (VIC)
- Rebecca MacFarling, Bangarra Dance Theatre (NSW)
- Liz Tomkinson, Belvior Theatre Company (NSW)
- Emily Kinny, Brisbane Writers’ Festival (QLD)
- Elissa O’Conner, Castlemaine State Festival (VIC)
- Claire Wilcock, Chunky Move (VIC)
- Charlie Cush, CIRCA (QLD)
- Fiona Poletti, Circus Oz (VIC)
- Karen Relph, Darwin Symphony Orchestra (NT)
- Will Harvey, Griffin Theatre Company (NSW)
- Jacqueline Williams, Melbourne Recital Centre (VIC)
- Amanda Jolly, Queensland Theatre Company (QLD)
- Guy Ross, State Theatre Company of South Australia (SA)
- Antonia Seymour, Urban Theatre Projects (NSW)
- Lynette Gillman, Victorian Opera (VIC)
- Sally Richardson, Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company (WA)