The Arts Development Fund offers increased funding for the Gold Coast's creative community. The fund fosters professional pathways and skills development, contributing to our city's vibrant lifestyle.
The Arts Development Fund has 2 categories: Arts Projects and Arts Partnerships.
Arts projects
Professional development
Funding up to $2000 available.
This grant is a rolling grant stream that receives applications throughout the year (by the closing date). It supports individuals, organisations and collectives seeking funds towards professional development opportunities.
Professional development opportunities grow your skills and practice and build your career. For example, structured mentorships, residencies, secondments, conferences, workshops, and training.
Eligible opportunities will come from recognised peak body organisations or arts and cultural experts with recognised professional standing.
Applications must come from the intended recipient of the professional development opportunity.
Applications will be assessed and determined within 4 weeks of receipt.
Applications close: 31 May 2025
Apply now
Small grants
Funding up to $5000 available.
This grant is a rolling fund with applications accepted at any time throughout the year (by the closing date). Funding supports projects needing smaller levels of funding for arts and culture-based activity.
The grant aims to encourage creative risk taking and experimentation. Application outcomes will be determined within 8 weeks of receipt.
- Applications open: 1 September 2024
- Applications close: 31 May 2025
Apply now
Major round
Funding up to $15,000 available.
This grant has one round per year. It supports arts and culture-based activities that:
- have a clear connection to the Gold Coast and
- deliver outcomes that demonstrate capacity, reach, artistic merit, and community benefit.
The grant aims to contribute towards the cost of delivery of arts and cultural activity. Competitive projects will display a diversity of income.
Applications for 2024-25 are closed.
Arts partnerships
Arts Partnerships grants provide multiyear operational funding to grow local arts and cultural organisations, arts groups, companies. The funding allows recipients to develop sustainable practice, entrepreneurship, artistic excellence and cultural leadership.
The grant aims to invest in organisations that are:
- part of the small to medium arts and culture sector, and/or
- arts groups and companies not eligible for other City of Gold Coast community grants.
Stream 1
Funding up to $80,000 per year over 4 years is available.
Applicants must:
- have a minimum 3-year history of delivering arts related activity, and
- be able to show a minimum 3-year (consecutive) history of reporting against government investment.
Note: There are additional eligibility requirements listed in the application form.
Stream 2
Funding up to $40,000 per year over 4 years is available.
Applicants must have:
- a minimum 12-month history of delivering arts-related activity with an ABN in the name of the organisation, or
- an ABN in the name of the organisation with less than a 12-month history and be able to show a minimum 3-years’ experience delivering activity under the organisational name.
Note: There are additional eligibility requirements listed in the application form.
Applications for 2025 are closed.
How to apply
For details on who can apply, eligibility criteria and how to submit your application, please read the following documents.
Arts Development Fund Guidelines 2024–25(PDF, 394KB)
Arts Development Fund FAQs and important information for applicants 2024–25(PDF, 242KB)
Contact us
Email: cultural@goldcoast.qld.gov.au