Council grants to help grow Surf Coast creative sector

Published on 01 February 2023

Australia’s fourth largest regional creative hotspot is set to receive another boost through Surf Coast Shire Council’s DEVELOP Arts and Creatives Grant program.

Grant applications are now open, inviting locals from all artistic disciplines to be bold and innovative. Grants of up to $3,000 to support individual professional artists and producers and $5,000 for collectives are available.

Surf Coast Shire Councillor Gary Allen said the grant opportunity was another step towards helping to foster the rise of the shire-wide Surf Coast creative sector.

“The Surf Coast has long been known as the home of surfing,” Cr Allen said.

“We’ve got the waves, the walks, the waterfalls and all the country style of the hinterland - and to top it all off, dotted throughout this shire, we’ve also got one of the most innovative Creative Industries sectors Australia has to offer.”

“We understand it’s not easy being in the creative industry. Money and time are always an issue - that’s why these Council grants support artists of all disciplines to keep going, to increase their skill set and to keep making their mark.

“We know that if artists are supported here in the Surf Coast Shire, we all stand to benefit - creatively, culturally and economically.”

Submissions open Wednesday 1 February and close at 5PM on Tuesday 28 February. Successful recipients will be announced in late March.

Council strongly encourages First Nations artists and artists from groups such as LGBTQIA+ and culturally and linguistically diverse communities to apply.

For more information visit: surfcoast.vic.gov.au/creativegrants.