Creative Change Grant guidelines

Eligible applicants must:

• Be located in Moyne or delivering a project within the shire
• Be one of the approved applicant types (as listed below)
• Hold an Australian Business Number (ABN), or provide a statement by supplier if exempt (or be auspice)
• Hold public liability insurance (for public facing projects)
• Submit a complete application with a clear proposal and budget - must contact a council officer to discuss the application
• Align with the program’s creative innovation goals

Approved applicant types:

• Not-for-profits - incorporated bodies, co-operatives or associations
• Unincorporated bodies (with auspice)
• For-profits businesses
• Individuals / sole trader with an ABN or auspice

Note: Organisations with existing Council funding arrangements may still apply if the application is for something distinct, new and innovative that goes beyond the scope of their current funded activity.

Creative Change Grants support activity that explores or activates new ideas, methods, or collaborations. Funded activity must take place within the Moyne Shire.

Examples of eligible projects may include:

• Creative development: Concept development, experimentation, or prototyping for a new work (e.g. script development, pilot performances, visual art concepts, test recordings).
• First-time collaborations: Projects that bring together practitioners from different disciplines or sectors to trial new creative partnerships.
• Site-based activations: Temporary public installations, pop-ups, projections, or performance-based interventions that animate spaces in new ways.
• New formats or platforms: Exploring different ways to reach audiences, such as immersive or participatory experiences, digital or hybrid formats.
• Culturally led ideas: Projects led by artists from diverse backgrounds that explore new forms of storytelling, identity, or cultural expression.
• Skill expansion through creation: Activities that enable creatives to explore new forms or mediums as part of developing a project idea.
• Community-engaged projects: Experimental models for working with communities or specific audiences to co-create or test a concept.
• Small-scale testing for future growth: A prototype or pilot that could grow into a larger project, performance season, exhibition, or public art commission.

Note: If you're proposing a project in a public space (e.g. parks, laneways, shopfronts), make sure you contact Council early to discuss permits or operational requirements. You'll need these in place before your project begins.

Creative Change Grants are designed to support innovation, risk-taking and experimentation - not routine, operational or already-funded activity. The following are generally not eligible for funding:

• Projects that do not align with the program’s intent (e.g. they are not exploratory, creative, or do not offer a new or distinct approach).
• Activity that is already completed, or costs already incurred (retrospective funding).
• Projects or events already receiving core funding through other Council programs (unless the proposal is clearly distinct and new).
• Business-as-usual or commercial activity, such as product marketing, business start-ups, or standard operating costs.
• Projects where the primary aim is private tuition, study, or academic assessment.
• Fundraising events or projects primarily aimed at generating income for a charity, political cause, or other organisation.
• Activities related to competitions, awards, trophies, prizes, or sponsorships.
• Core operational costs, including rent, utilities, staff wages (unless directly tied to the delivery of the funded project).
• Projects that would commit Council to ongoing financial support.
• Activities not primarily creative or artistic (e.g. professional development workshops not attached to creative output).
• Activities or organisations associated with political parties, gambling, or activities that may bring the Council into disrepute.
• Projects that would be better supported through other funding programs, such as:
  • Moyne Festival and Event Fund - for core event delivery
  • Community Assistance Fund - for infrastructure or capital upgrades

Apply online

Contact councils Arts and Culture officer before applying to discuss your idea:

rebecca.elmes@moyne.vic.gov.au or 1300 656 564

Project proposal - a clear explanation of what you plan to do, why it matters, and what you hope to achieve

Budget - detail the grant amount requested, any co-funding or in-kind support, and include quotes or estimates for major costs.

Required supporting documents:

• Public liability insurance (for public-facing activities)
• Certificate of incorporation (if applicable)
• Statement by supplier (if you don’t have an ABN)
• Letter of support (if auspice)

Recommended support material:

• Artist CV or bio
• Images, audio/video samples, or concept sketches
• Letters of support from collaborators

Eligibility checks - we confirm applicant and project eligibility.

Panel assessment

Eligible applications are assessed against three weighted criteria:

Endorsement

Recommendations are reviewed and endorsed by Council.

You will receive:

• A confirmation email with a funding agreement and acquittal instructions
• A New Supplier Form (if applicable)

To receive payment:

• Send an invoice with your purchase order number and bank details to Council
• Payments are only made after the funding agreement is signed

You must:

• Deliver your project within 12 months
• Submit an acquittal and financial report within one month of completion

You will be notified in writing.

If a second round is offered, you may reapply - be sure to revise your application based on the assessment criteria

Your funding agreement outlines:

• What you’re delivering
• When it will happen
• How you’ll report on it

Public events may require permits or additional approvals - budget time and money for this

Public liability insurance is mandatory for any activity involving the public

You must submit:

• A final evaluation of your project
• A financial report showing how funds were spent

We may request an audit or progress update

If funded, you must:

• Use the Moyne Shire logo in all promotion and media
• Acknowledge support of social media, at launches and during all public events
• Invite Council representatives to launch or openings
• Assist with publicity and follow Moyne’s Acknowledgement Guidelines

If you need to:

• Change your activity or dates
• Cancel the project

You must notify us in writing. Council may withdraw or recover funds if changes are not approved.