Hear from past recipients by video stories of previous successful applicants:
Creative and history grants
Apply for funding to get your artistic, historical or cultural project off the ground. Check your eligibility and apply.
About creative and history grants
Our creative and history grants support Brisbane artists, creative workers and historical and cultural organisations to develop and showcase their work.
The grants support Brisbane’s artistic and cultural sectors by nurturing and promoting creativity.
View the grants on offer and how they can benefit your group or project.
Creative Sparks Grants Program
This grant assists artists and not-for-profit community arts, historical and cultural organisations to create and present their work in Brisbane.
The Creative Sparks Grant Program is managed by Council in partnership with the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.
Who can apply?
You can apply if you:
- are a professional artist or creative worker, or an eligible not-for-profit community arts, history or cultural organisation based in the Brisbane Local Government Area (LGA)
- are a permanent resident or Australian citizen
- are at least 17 years of age
- have an active Australian Business Number (ABN) registered in Brisbane or supported by an eligible Brisbane-based auspice organisation
- have no overdue Council or Arts Queensland grant acquittals.
Eligible projects
Eligible projects must:
- create or substantially develop new creative work that is shown or available in Brisbane
- take place from 16 March 2027 to 18 January 2028
- have other sources of funding as the program will not support 100% of the proposed activity or project costs.
Funding amount
Up to $15,000 per application (excluding GST).
Grant limitations
- You can only submit one application per grant round.
- You can't apply for the Lord Mayor's Creative Fellowship in the same financial year.
- You can't apply if you have received Council creative funding of $10,000 or more in the same financial year this round opens (2026-27).
- No more than 50% of the requested grant can be spent on publishing and printing costs.
Grant round dates
| Opening date | 9am Monday 28 September 2026 |
|---|---|
| Closing date | 3pm Monday 9 November 2026 |
| Notification of outcome | Mid-March 2027 |
| Final report and financial acquittal | Due within 8 weeks after your project ends, and no later than 10 months after notification |
Grant guidelines and applicant guide
Read the Creative Sparks Grants Program Guidelines and the Creative Grants Applicant Guide to see what information is needed to complete your application. This includes:
- eligibility criteria
- budget and evidence requirements
- funding rules.
We cannot consider applications that do not meet the eligibility criteria or provide the required documentation. Note, you must submit a GST-exclusive, balanced budget in Australian dollars.
How to apply
All applications are submitted via our online application system, SmartyGrants. This will allow you to save, develop and print applications before they are submitted.
Check back here for a link to the application form when applications are open.
Lord Mayor’s Creative Fellowships
This fellowship supports emerging Brisbane artists and creative workers to build their skills and careers in the creative sector through structured professional development.
Who can apply?
You can apply if you:
- are an individual emerging or early career artist or creative worker who lives in the Brisbane Local Government Area (LGA)
- are a permanent resident or Australian citizen
- have an Australian Business Number (ABN) registered in Brisbane or are supported by an eligible Brisbane-based auspice organisation
- are at least 17 years of age
- have no overdue Council grant acquitals.
Eligible activities
Eligible activities must:
- be structured and delivered by a recognised organisation or industry professional
- take place from 23 March 2027 to 21 March 2028
- include a contribution from a source other than this fellowship.
Funding amount
Up to $10,000 per application (excluding GST).
Fellowship limitations
- You can only submit one application per fellowship round.
- You can't apply for the Creative Sparks Grant in the same financial year.
- You can't apply if you have received Council creative funding of $10,000 or more in the same financial year this round opens (2026-27).
- No more than 50% of the requested fellowship amount can be spent on travel, touring, accommodation and living costs.
Grant round dates
| Opening date | 9am Monday 28 September 2026 |
|---|---|
| Closing date | 3pm Monday 16 November 2026 |
| Notification of outcome | Late March 2027 |
| Final report and financial acquittal | Due within 12 months after notification |
Grant guidelines
Read the Lord Mayor’s Creative Fellowships guidelines and the Creative Grants Applicant Guide to learn the information needed to complete your application. This includes:
- eligibility criteria
- budget and evidence requirements
- funding rules.
We cannot consider applications that do not meet the eligibility criteria or provide the required documentation. Note, you must submit a GST-exclusive, balanced budget in Australian dollars.
How to apply
All applications are submitted via our online application system, SmartyGrants. This will allow you to save, develop and print applications before they are submitted.
Check back here for a link to the application form when applications are open.
Hear from past recipients by video stories of previous successful applicants:
Historical Organisation Assistance Grant Program
This program provides multi-year funding to community-based, not-for-profit cultural heritage and historical organisations.
It supports local organisations and groups to grow their membership, maintain their facilities and deliver activities that bring Brisbane’s stories to life.
Who can apply?
Apply if you:
- are a not-for-profit organisation, or are supported by a not-for-profit organisation that is registered or is eligible for registration under the Australian Charities and Not for Profits Commission Act 2012 (Cth) and is based in the Brisbane Local Government Area (LGA)
- want to advance Brisbane’s culture and care for, preserve and protect our heritage
- operate a facility that is intrinsically linked to Brisbane’s history and/or heritage, and is accessible to the public for regular hours
- are based and currently operating in the Brisbane LGA
- don't have any overdue grant acquittals or outstanding debts with Council.
Funding amount
$2,000-$10,000 per annum for 3 years
Eligible projects
The program supports investment in long-term organisational sustainability and capacity building by funding expenses that support the organisations future resilience and may fund items for:
- heritage economy
- core operations
- facility maintenance
- exhibition and display maintenance and development
- governance and organisational development
- training and development.
Grant open rounds
As the grant offers triennial funding, applications for this grant are currently closed until 2028.
Grant guidelines
Read the Historical Organisation Assistance Grant Program guidelines 2025-2028.
