The Arts Development Fund fosters professional pathways and skills development for the Gold Coast's creative community, 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.
Professional development opportunities should expand your practice and support your career. Eligible opportunities must be offered by recognised arts and cultural peak bodies or arts and cultural experts with established professional standing. This includes national and international invitations to showcase your practice in any artform.
This grant stream is designed to be responsive to short-notice, high-impact arts and cultural opportunities, such as:
- structured mentorships
- residencies
- conferences
- workshops
- festival line-ups
- international tours
- curated exhibitions
- panellist invitations
- selection in prestigious awards.
Applications close: 30 April 2026 (or earlier if funds are fully exhausted)
Read FAQs and important information for applicants and apply now.
Small grants
Funding up to $5000 available.
The grant aims to encourage creative risk taking and experimentation.
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.
- This is not a quick response grant.
- Assessment of small grants submissions are undertaken in batches.
- It is peer-assessed by an external independent Arts Development Fund Committee.
Read FAQs and important information for applicants.
Small grants applications are closed.
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 contributes to the delivery of costs of eligible arts and cultural activities. Competitive applications will show a diverse mix of income sources.
Eligibility notes
- Returning applicants are strongly encouraged to secure support for your project (either in-kind or financial) from a local delivery partner.
- Applicants based outside the Gold Coast must demonstrate active partnerships with local organisations as collaborators.
Read FAQs and important information for applicants.
Major round grant applications 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.
Arts partnerships grant applications are closed. The next round opens in 2028.
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(PDF, 394KB)
2024-25 successful recipients
Successful Arts Development Fund applicants 2024-25(PDF, 98KB)
Contact us
Email: artsdevfund@goldcoast.qld.gov.au