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Creative and history grants

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Apply for funding to get your artistic, historical or cultural project off the ground. Check your eligibility and apply.

Female rehearsing a theatrical act in studio with mirrors at Visible Ink studio.

About creative and history grants

Our creative and history grants help local artists, performers and historians 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.  

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Creative Sparks Grants Program 

These grants help artists and not-for-profit community arts, historical and cultural organisations to create and present their work.

Projects must be shared with the public online or at a location within the Brisbane local government area.

The program aims to create jobs, boost our economy, attract tourism and bring people together by supporting the creative and cultural sector 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 an individual professional artist, arts worker, cultural worker, or creative producer in the Brisbane Local Government Area (LGA)
  • are a not-for-profit community art, historical and cultural organisation based in the Brisbane LGA employing Brisbane independent artists and arts workers to deliver new projects
  • have a demonstrated history of professional arts or creative practice with a track record of public outcomes for their creative practice
  • are a permanent resident or Australian citizen
  • are 17 years of age or over at the time of submitting an application, if under 18 years of age, have your application co‑signed by your legal guardian, confirming they will take responsibility for managing any funding that may be offered to you
  • have an active Australian Business Number (ABN) that is registered under the applicant’s name and location or are supported by an incorporated auspice organisation that is based in the Brisbane LGA
  • have an accessible public outcome (e.g. performance or exhibit) that occurs within the Brisbane LGA between 29 April 2025 and 24 February 2026
  • have other sources of funding as the program will not support 100% of the proposed activity or project costs
  • hold appropriate insurance(s) (including Workers Compensation, Public Liability, Volunteers Insurance and others) to cover artists and their work
  • have not applied for the Lord Mayor's Creative Fellowship in the same financial year
  • have submitted the required compulsory support material.

Preference will be given to applicants who did not receive funding from either a Creative Sparks or Lord Mayor’s Creative Fellowship grant program in the previous financial year.

Funding amount

Up to $15,000

Eligible projects include:

  • testing and developing ideas for local products, markets, partnerships and works to enable creative enterprises to grow and prosper
  • diverse and accessible arts experiences that grow audiences and participation 
  • developing and promoting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artistic endeavours.

Grant open rounds

Applications for this grant are currently closed.

Please check back for updates on new opening dates.

When this grant is open for applications, check back here for a link to the online application form.

Grant guidelines

Read the Creative Sparks Grants Program Guidelines.

Your grant application will be assessed on how well your project can:

  • show evidence of artistic, creative and/or cultural innovation, boldness and experimentation
  • demonstrate creative skills and ability of artists/arts professionals involved
  • support diverse artists and shows evidence of creative collaborations and partnerships
  • appeal to new or under-served audiences, with the potential to grow audiences by having a strong understanding of who will be engaged, and market development for the project
  • offer different ways in which people can participate in and experience the arts through the provision of a public outcome
  • provide activities that are low-cost or free to the public with application of access and inclusion principles to the project outcome, and adherence to relevant cultural protocols
  • demonstrate value for money and realistic budget with the provision of quotes and evidence of other sources of income
  • achievable planning and resource use, including a realistic timeline and a considered evaluation process
  • history in delivering similar projects
  • include relevant and high-quality support material including required compulsory support material and evidence of appropriate cultural permissions.

Hear from past recipients by video stories of previous successful applicants:

Subscribe to receive updates

Join our Creative Register to receive updates on upcoming opening and closing dates for grant rounds.

Sign up

Lord Mayor’s Creative Fellowships 

This fellowship supports Brisbane artists, arts workers, cultural workers and creative producers wishing to expand their careers in the arts and cultural sector.

It provides structured professional development opportunities including:

  • skills development
  • masterclasses/workshops
  • art residencies
  • attendance at conferences
  • short course training
  • defined mentorships
  • structured learning experiences.

Who can apply?

Apply if you:

  • are an individual emerging or early-career professional artist, arts worker, cultural worker, or creative producer residing in the Brisbane Local Government Area (LGA)
  • are a permanent resident or Australian citizen
  • have an active Australian Business Number (ABN) in the name of the individual applicant or are supported by an incorporated auspice organisation based in the Brisbane LGA
  • are 17 years of age or over at the time you apply, if under 18 years of age have your application co‑signed by your legal guardian, confirming they will take responsibility for managing any funding that may be offered to you
  • have a professional development opportunity between 1 May 2025 and 30 April 2026
  • have other sources of funding as the program will not support 100% of the proposed activity or project costs
  • hold appropriate insurance to cover the applicant
  • don't exceed the limitations on funding of up to 50% of travel, accommodation and living expenses of the total project budget requested (e.g. if an applicant is requesting $10,000 for the total project, no more than 50% or $5,000 can be used for travel, accommodation and living expenses combined). Travel can include local, intrastate, interstate and international activities.
  • have not applied for the Creative Sparks Grant in the same financial year
  • have submitted the required compulsory support material.

Preference will be given to applicants who did not receive funding from either a Creative Sparks or Lord Mayor’s Creative Fellowship grant program in the previous financial year.

Funding amount

Up to $10,000

Eligible projects include:

  • projects activities that support individual talented emerging and early-career Brisbane-based creatives grow their skills and practice to build their creative careers with a structured career and professional development opportunity.

Grant open rounds

Applications for this grant are currently closed.

Please check back for updates on new opening dates.

When this grant is open for applications, check back here for a link to the online application form.  

Grant guidelines

Read the Lord Mayor’s Creative Fellowships guidelines.

Subscribe to receive updates

Join our Creative Register to receive updates on upcoming opening and closing dates for grant rounds.

Sign up

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

Applications for this grant are currently closed.

Please check back for updates on new opening dates.

When this grant is open for applications, check back here for a link to the online application form.  

Grant guidelines

Read the Historical Organisation Assistance Grant Program guidelines.

Subscribe to receive updates

Join our Creative Grants Register to receive updates on upcoming opening and closing dates for grant rounds.

Sign up