Cultural Development Fund - Festivals and Events

The program is now open

Balaclava Boogie, Carlisle Street, 2023

Overview

The arts are an essential part of the cultural diversity, creativity and prosperity of our communities.

The Cultural Development Fund (CDF) grants program has been developed by Council to support artists, arts and cultural organisations and creative community projects in the City of Port Phillip.

Festivals and events funded through the Cultural Development Fund should contribute to the Council Plan 2025-2035 strategic direction A Vibrant and Thriving Community, particularly by supporting arts, culture, creativity, participation, inclusion, community connection and local cultural development.

CDF - Festivals and Events program objectives:

·         Support vibrant festivals and events that contribute to the cultural life, identity and creative profile of Port Phillip.

·         Support participation, inclusion and community connection through festivals and events.

·         Support capacity building, partnerships, collaboration and sustainable event development.

·         Support festivals and events that activate places, attract audiences and contribute to vibrant neighbourhoods, precincts and local economic activity.

Grant value

CDF - Festivals and Events is a two-tiered funding stream for incorporated, not for profit arts, cultural or community organisations to deliver festivals and events.

  • Tier One - $6,000 to $12,0000
  • Tier Two - $12,001 to $30,000.

Applicants may apply for funding for:

·        A festival or event to be delivered between December 2026 and November 2027 or

·        Multi-year funding for established festivals and events have been delivered within the City of Port Phillip for at least three consecutive years.

The CDF Festivals and Events grant offers arts, cultural, trader and community organisations the opportunity to apply for funding to deliver festivals and events in the City of Port Phillip that foster cultural participation, celebrate creativity and diversity, strengthen community connection and contribute to a vibrant, inclusive and thriving city.

This fund is intended for seed and development funding and applicants are encouraged to seek out other sources of sponsorship and in-kind contributions to complement the support of council. This year, this grant stream will also support multi-year funding for eligible events

Applications can include events that occur in public space, venues and may have some online event component (but not fully online).

Applicants to the CDF-Festivals and Events grants may apply for up to $30,000 per event with funding allocated according to tier categories.

Key dates

Applications open: Wednesday 22 July 2026
Applications close: Sunday 23 August at midnight 2026

View the full 2026/27 Grants timelines

Grant Writing Workshops and Information Session

All applicants are strongly encouraged to attend a Grant Writing Workshop and information session before applying for a Council Grant. 

To attend a Grant Writing for Creatives and Information Workshop, visit Community sector resources.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply, applicants must be:

·         be a ‘Not-for-Profit’ arts, cultural or community organisation

·         be Incorporated or auspiced by an Incorporated Association that is deemed to be non-profit, as classified by the Australian Taxation Office (section 103A(2) (c) of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936)

·         provide an ABN or an Auspice Organisation ABN

·         have Public Liability Insurance with a minimum of $20 million or an Auspice Organisation Public Liability Insurance with a minimum of $20 million

·         have complied with all terms and conditions including the submission of a satisfactory project status and acquittal reports for all previous City of Port Phillip Grants

·         Funded events must be based in the City of Port Phillip

·         Organisations with existing funding service agreements with the City of Port Phillip must apply in partnership with at least one other entity such as a trader, cultural organisation, community group, artist, or group of artists.

How to Apply

All applications are made online through SmartyGrants.

Help guide for applicants
Applicant frequently asked questions

If you require assistance to complete your online application, please contact grants@portphillip.vic.gov.au or call 03 9209 6777.

Apply Now

Making your event accessible

We are committed to equitable participation in events, programs and activities in our community. The Accessibility and Disability Inclusion Fact Sheet for Arts Grants Applicants contains resources you can explore when applying for a grant to help include the people with disability when organising, planning and budgeting for your event or program of activities:

Access and support information

For general Council information about the National Relay Service, language translation and Auslan interpreter services, visit accessibility and disability inclusion.

For Access support, contact ASSIST.

Planning for your event

If you are organising an event in an open space, discuss your event with Council’s Events Team before applying for your event.

Applicants planning events in outdoor public space will be required to apply for a City of Port Phillip Event permit.

For information and contacts refer to the City of Port Phillip Outdoor Events page.

Contact Us 

Applicants are encouraged to speak to the Arts Development Officer before submitting their application.

For all enquiries, please contact us via ASSIST on 03 9209 6777 or send a service request online.